BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the “business of ideology” will no longer work in the country.
Speaking as a special guest at the biennial conference of Cumilla South District BNP on Saturday, he said, “Those who want to divide Islam through politics must be responded to by voting at the ballot box. Those trying to peddle tickets to paradise are religious businessmen. The business of ideology will not continue in this country.”
Referring to the events of 1971, he added, “Peddling the ideology of ’71 eventually forced Sheikh Hasina to take refuge in Delhi. Their politics died in Dhaka and buried in Delhi. The people of the country did not buy the ’71 ideology that Awami League was selling. Likewise, no one should be peddling the ideology of July.”
Salahuddin Ahmed also said, “The people of the country no longer want to see speeches and exploitative politics as in the past. Every murder will be prosecuted, though the process is long. The trial has already begun, and in the future, tribunals, prosecution, and investigation teams will be expanded.”
Calling for unity, he said, “There may be conspiracies against BNP. But if everyone stays united, no conspiracy will succeed.” He also urged party activists to remain active on social media to counter rumors.
Raising anti-government allegations, he said, “Some political parties and media outlets in the country are conspiring to disrupt the elections. We believe that the people will resist all conspiracies by reclaiming their voting rights.”
Regarding the February elections, Salahuddin said, “The construction of a hunger-free, poverty-free Bangladesh through this election will be led by the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman. The people of the country are ready for the elections. People are eager to exercise their voting rights. Let the first vote of the youth go to the boat symbol.”
Criticizing the Awami League, he said, “The Awami League’s history is one of plunder and corruption, of vote theft and the suppression of democracy. Those who have committed crimes against humanity, abductions, killings, and murders will be held accountable by BNP. When BNP comes to power, the 31-point programme will be implemented to fulfill the people’s expectations.”
