Only the deserving will get nominations, strengthen activities in unity – Tarique Rahman’s call to leaders of Rajshahi division

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has instructed the candidates called to the center from Rajshahi division to strengthen organizational activities in their areas to maintain the unity and solidarity of the party. He gave this instruction in a speech addressed to the leaders called at the Chairperson’s Gulshan office on Monday (October 27). This was learned after talking to several candidates present there.
Tarique Rahman said that new challenges are constantly coming before BNP. Everyone will have to work patiently and unitedly to face these challenges. The upcoming elections will be difficult and leaders and activists from all walks of life will always have to be in a united position to deal with the emerging situation. He also said that everyone should be vigilant about the party’s image. We should remember that the party is bigger than the individual. BNP is the people’s party. We have a lot of work to do for the people. Everyone should make that preparation now.
Party sources said that on a short notice the previous day, the candidates shortlisted for the 39 seats of Rajshahi division were sent a message to appear at the Gulshan office of the BNP Chairperson in Dhaka. They were asked to appear at the Chairperson’s Gulshan office immediately through BNP Rajshahi Divisional Organizing Secretary Syed Shaheen Shawkat and Co-Organizing Secretary Obaidur Rahman Chandan. Party sources also learned that BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman gave a directional speech to the candidates of Rajshahi division through a video call. Apart from the candidates, only three members of the BNP Standing Committee, Major Retired Hafiz Uddin, Iqbal Mahmud Khan Tuku and Selima Rahman, were present at the special meeting. However, no candidate got the opportunity to address or deliver a speech at this meeting. It is learnt that against the 39 seats of Rajshahi division, an average of three to four candidates were called from each seat. Only one was called from some seats. It is learned that there are 6 parliamentary seats in Rajshahi within the division. In addition, there are 4 in Natore, 3 in Chapainawabganj, 6 in Naogaon district, 3 in Joypurhat district, 6 in Pabna, 6 in Sirajganj district and a maximum of 7 parliamentary seats in Bogra district. 131 BNP nomination aspirants have been called from these seats in the special meeting on Monday. Only Adviser to the Chairperson Advocate Ruhul Kuddush Talukder Dulu has been called from Natore-2 (Sadar-Naldanga) seat. Adviser to the Chairperson Mizanur Rahman Minu and former convener of the Metropolitan BNP, freedom fighter Advocate Ershad Ali Ishaq have been called from Rajshahi-2 (Metropolitan) seat. Three-four people have been called from the remaining 5 seats in Rajshahi. Many nomination aspirants returned to the area on Tuesday and started mass contact in the field. Many are increasing their contact with central leaders from Dhaka. Mizanur Rahman Minu, an advisor to the BNP chairperson who is seeking nomination for Rajshahi-2 constituency, said, “The acting chairman has instructed all of us not to be overly enthusiastic and to work in the field until the party decision is made. Those whom the party nominates should not be considered as individuals but should be accepted as party deposits and should enter the field to protect the deposits. The acting chairman said that those who have received nominations after returning to the area should not do so with excessive enthusiasm. This will damage the unity of the party.” Former convener of Rajshahi Metropolitan BNP, veteran freedom fighter Advocate Ershad Ali Isha said, “The acting chairman has asked those who have been called not to go to the area and start speaking. If this happens, the wrong message may be sent between the party leaders and workers and the people.”