BD’s existence inseparable from 1971: Tarique
Staff Reporter :
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday said that Bangladesh’s very existence cannot be imagined without 1971.
“The Liberation War is the cornerstone of Bangladesh as a state and its political system. The country’s identity is rooted in 1971,” he stated during a meeting with leaders of the Democratic United Front, a coalition of left-leaning parties, at the BNP chairperson’s political office in Gulshan.
Tarique stressed that the new political realities and opportunities arising after the recent uprisings must be harnessed. He urged all parties, including the government and opposition, to work together for the nation’s progress.
Highlighting the need for national unity, he said that the current political moment should be used to strengthen democracy.
During the meeting, the leftist leaders expressed deep sorrow over the passing of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and discussed the ongoing political situation in the country.
According to Bazlur Rashid Firoz, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD), Tarique emphasized that the Liberation War of 1971 forms the foundation of Bangladesh, without which the country’s existence would not have been possible.
He added, “We must move forward while upholding the aspirations of the ’90 mass uprising and the ’24 mass uprising.” The Democratic United Front delegation included CPB Presidium member Mujahidul Islam Selim, President Kazi Sajjad Jahir Chandan, General Secretary Abdullah Al Kafi Ratan, BASD General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz, Assistant General Secretary Rajequzzaman Ratan, Bangladesh JASAD General Secretary Nazmul Haque Prodhan and Standing Committee member Mostaq Hossain, Bangladesh Socialist Party Executive President Abdul Ali, Democratic Revolutionary Party General Secretary Mushrefa Mishu, Bangladesh Revolutionary Communist League General Secretary Iqbal Kabir Zahid, Presidium member Professor Abdus Sattar, and BASD (Marxist) Coordinator Masud Rana.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was also present at the meeting.