BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday said democracy in Bangladesh would remain safeguarded by adhering to the ideals and political path laid down by the party’s late chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Speaking to reporters after visiting Khaleda Zia’s grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the morning, Rizvi said BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman would lead the country forward by following his mother’s principles.
“The ideals, morality and commitments that Khaleda Zia upheld before the people represent a high ethical standard. By following the path, she showed, BNP, its affiliated organisations and all nationalist forces will move ahead,” he said.
Rizvi said preserving democracy, national independence and sovereignty was possible only by embracing Khaleda Zia’s legacy. “She endured immense suffering and oppression to uphold the dignity of the national flag. We will move forward by following that example,” he added.
Expressing confidence in Tarique Rahman’s leadership, Rizvi said the BNP acting chairman would guide the nation toward the goals for which Khaleda Zia struggled continuously for more than four decades.
Alleging that there had been attempts to remove Khaleda Zia through denial of proper medical treatment, Rizvi accused the Awami League-led government of subjecting her to what he described as politically motivated cases, imprisonment and persecution. He said her resilience, patience and determination had proven that no threat could separate her from the people.
At around 11:30am, Rizvi, along with leaders and activists of the Jatiyatabadi Mahila Dal, visited Khaleda Zia’s grave. The delegation, led by Mahila Dal President Afroza Abbas, General Secretary Sultana Ahmed and Senior General Secretary Helen Zerin Khan, placed wreaths and offered prayers seeking forgiveness for the departed leader’s soul.
