‘BNP must fulfil people’s expectations’

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Abdus Salam on Friday said the November 7 revolution of 1975 restored the spirit of the Liberation War, claiming that soldiers and civilians had united under the leadership of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman to defeat hegemonic forces.

“Under the leadership of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, soldiers and civilians united that day and defeated hegemonic forces,” he said.

Salam, also convener of Dhaka South City BNP, was speaking at a drawing competition and prize-giving ceremony organised by Zia Shishu Kishore Mela at the Jatiya Press Club. The event marked National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

He said the ideals of the Liberation War had been undermined after independence, but the November 7 revolution under Ziaur Rahman’s leadership had created an opportunity to uphold those values again. He added that Bangladesh should continue to move forward with the spirit of November 7.

The BNP leader credited Ziaur Rahman with restoring democracy and safeguarding the country’s independence. He said Zia had founded the BNP on the principles of Bangladeshi nationalism to protect democracy and sovereignty.

Referring to attempts to weaken the party, Salam said those involved had expected the BNP to collapse after Ziaur Rahman’s assassination and believed that removing former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia would also bring an end to the party.

“But that did not happen. The BNP is still standing. The people of this country have sent our leader Tarique Rahman to state power with an absolute majority,” he said.

Salam said people now wanted peace, happiness and the restoration of their human and democratic rights. After 17 years, he added, they were experiencing democracy again, and the BNP had a responsibility to fulfil their expectations.

Criticising the Awami League, he accused those defeated in the past of opposing the government and creating conditions for the return of fascism. He also said people had not forgotten the events of 1971, 1972 and 1975, or the enforced disappearances, killings and acts of terrorism over the past 17 years.

Recalling the Awami League’s apology in 1996, he alleged that the party had forgotten its past actions after returning to power.

Salam warned that arson and violence would not halt the progress of the BNP or Tarique Rahman, adding that people would resist such acts.

Addressing deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he urged her to return through the border, saying law enforcement agencies would bring her back and send her to jail.

He also called on the opposition to wait for the next election and give Tarique Rahman an opportunity to show whether he could bring changes to the country.

The programme was chaired by Dhaka South City Zia Shishu Kishore Mela Convener Din Mohammad Dulu.