BNP will accept mandate through election: Tarique

Tarique Rahman has said his party will accept the people's decision through the election.

The BNP’s acting chairman said, "Two years ago, we gave a 31-point outline for state reforms with confidence that the autocratic Sheikh Hasina government was leaving. But we didn't know when."

Speaking virtually at a workshop on the party’s 31-point outline for structural reforms and public relations at Faridpur Sadar Upazila Parishad auditorium on Saturday, he said: “We can do more or less to achieve the 31-point charter of demand only when you form the government with the support of the people. For this, the 31-point will have to be taken to the people's doorstep.”

“We have to work together from our respective positions to protect people’s trust. All of you are BNP leaders, ambassadors, and representatives of BNP."

Tarique said it was not BNP's movement alone that forced the “dictator” to flee; it happened because all the parties and people came together.

Addressing his party leaders, he said: "Sitting at home is not right believing that people have faith in us. If we keep quiet, nothing will happen. “We should avoid actions or thoughts that isolate us from the people."

"We will be impacted by this. So those who are making mistakes should be warned. We all need to work together."

"If people don't know what BNP wants, what it thinks for the people, for students, women, farmers, workers, then we will not have the support of the people," he said.

"We might not be able to achieve this at a time. But we want to initiate this. If the democratic process remains consistent, we will gradually reach a place. We need the support of the people to participate in this process."

Highlighting the accountability of the leaders to the people, Tarique said: “Accountability should be established at all levels of society, be it with the prime minister or the members of parliament. Even the mayors, the Union Parishad chairmen, and any influential individuals are not above accountability.”

If there was accountability during the Hasina regime, Tk 20 billion could not have been smuggled out of Faridpur, he added.