Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday stressed maintaining unity among the political parties that took part in the joint anti-fascist movement along with BNP in the last 17 years to fulfil the aspirations of the country’s people.
“We were together in the past, we are together and we will remain together. There is no reason for us to part ways. So, let us all work together in the days ahead to fulfil the expectations of the people,” he said.
The Prime Minister made the call before exchanging greetings and hosting a dinner for the leaders of the parties that joined the movement leading to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s fascist regime, at the State Guest House Jamuna here this evening.
Addressing the alliance leaders, Tarique Rahman said, “As your younger brother, I would say that all of us have to remain patient because the expectations of the people from us are immense. Let us first identify those expectations and work together to fulfil them.
“There may be differences of opinion among us on some areas while doing so, but there is no division among us. There is no room for misunderstanding,” he said.
The premier said, “The people of this country are our greatest strength. Their support remains with the BNP as well as with all the parties that joined the united movement. Our strength will endure as long as we continue to enjoy the people’s support, and by the grace of Allah, we have that support.
“Therefore, if we remain united, we will, Insha’Allah, move the country forward together, whether in line with the 31-point reform outline or the July Charter,” he added.
Pointing a finger at a particular political party, Tarique Rahman said, “We were on the streets throughout the movement and the struggle. Yet today many are trying to claim ownership of that struggle. I do not wish to name them. But if one simply uses the word ‘Gupta (Hidden)’, common people immediately understand who they are.”
He added, “During the anti-fascist movement, we searched for them many times but could not find them on the streets. Instead, we saw them in different ways alongside those who later fled the country.
“However, after the autocratic ruler was ousted on August 5, this hidden group gradually emerged. So, let us remain united to protect the country from these Gupta (hidden forces) and preserve the trust that the people have placed in us,” he said.
At the beginning of his speech, the Prime Minister highlighted the 31-point state reform agenda, saying, “You will surely remember that we, many political parties, sat together and presented the 31-point state reform before the people of Bangladesh. When we unveiled it, many other political parties spoke loudly about reforms.
“But at that time, we did not hear them say anything specific about reform. Yet those of us gathered under this tent today stood together and presented the reform proposals, ignoring the intimidation of the authoritarian regime,” he said.
“So, as a political worker, I believe that the 31-point agenda we jointly drafted has received the mandate of the people of Bangladesh. It has now become the people’s own 31-point agenda. Therefore, we, all like-minded forces, must work together to implement it,” Tarique Rahman added.
Describing the realities the government faced after assuming office, he said the country left behind by 17 years of authoritarian rule was devastated.
Noting that the economy, energy sector, electricity, education, healthcare and every other system were in a fragile state, the premier said, “We assumed responsibility for governing the country under those circumstances. Even then, we worked day and night to provide some relief to the people across the country. I do not know whether we achieved it completely, but we certainly tried and continue to do so.”
“Although we may not have achieved everything, no one can deny that, Alhamdulillah, for a completely new government, we have managed to provide at least some comfort to the people. I call on everyone to continue standing beside us in running the country in the days to come.
Earlier, the Prime Minister arrived at the venue at 7:30 pm, where he went from table to table to exchange greetings and pleasantries with the leaders of the allied parties.
After exchanging greetings, he joined the alliance leaders for dinner. Later, the formal session began with the recitation from the Holy Quran by Islami Oikya Jote leader Shawkat Amin.
BNP Secretary General and LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir delivered the welcome address at the event.
Leaders of several allied parties, including Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) Chairman Mostafa Jamal Haider, Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Mufti Mohiuddin Ikram, also spoke at the function.
BNP Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman and Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, Vice-Chairmen Barkat Ullah Bulu, Mohammad Shahjahan and Abdul Awal Mintoo joined the programme, among others.
The Prime Minister later joined the buffet dinner with the alliance leaders, taking food alongside them.
He shared a table with Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Zonayed Saki of Ganosamhati Andolon, Saiful Haque, Mostafa Jamal Haider, Andaleeve Rahman Partho of the BJP, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Fariduzzaman Farhad, Subrata Chowdhury of Gono Forum and Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu of Bhasani Janashakti Party.
Syed Ehsanul Huda of Jatiya Dal, Mufti Mohiuddin Ikram of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Nurul Islam of the Samyabadi Dal, Abul Kashem of the Islamic Party, Shamsuddin Parvez of Kalyan Party, Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa of the National People’s Party, Khandaker Lutfor Rahman of JAGPA, Mohiuddin Qadri Shaukat and Khokon Chandra Das of the Democratic League, Shaon Sadeki of Bangladesh NAP, Azharul Islam of NAP Bhasani, Nurul Amin Bepari of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, ATM Golam Maola Chowdhury of Gano Dal, Maulana Abdul Karim of Islami Oikya Jote, Sukriti Kumar Mondal of Bangladesh Minority Janata Party, Mizanur Rahman of Gono Forum, Nurul Haque Nur and Faruk Hasan of Gono Odhikar Parishad, Colonel (Retd) Mia Mosiuzzaman and Tareq Rahman of Aam Janatar Dal, Harun Chowdhury of the Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal (ML), Aminul Islam and Khandaker Ahsan Habib of the United Liberal Party, Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan and MAR Raja Rahman of Janatar Odhikar Party, KS Abu Taher and Abdullah Al Harun of two separate factions of NDP, Bobby Hajjaj of NDM, BNP leaders Shahadat Hossain Selim and Redwan Ahmed, along with leaders of all 41 allied parties, joined the programme.
