Former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria’s son, Reza Kibria, has formally joined BNP.
He announced his affiliation on Monday at an event held at BNP chairperson’s political office in Gulshan.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed welcomed him to the party.
At the event, Reza Kibria said he had been very eager to join the BNP.
He said the party had protected the country’s democracy twice, and that former president Ziaur Rahman was his political ideal.
“Even after so many years, he remains popular in politics,” he added.
He further said, “Those who are in the leadership of the BNP are capable of fulfilling the dreams of the youth. The party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, is carrying on the family legacy. We will all work together to build a new Bangladesh. It is unfortunate that he is abroad, but he will return with the experience he has gained there, which will contribute to the country’s development.”
Reza Kibria added, “The quality of work of our country’s people is very high. If we work to enhance their skills, the country will move forward. I want to work for my constituency as well as for the country.”
Earlier, BNP announced candidates for 227 constituencies for the upcoming national election, keeping the Habiganj-1 seat vacant. Reza Kibria intends to contest from this seat under the “sheaf of paddy” symbol in the 13th parliamentary election.
In the 11th parliamentary election held in 2018, Reza Kibria contested the same constituency as the BNP’s ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol, representing BNP’s ally, Jatiya Oikya Front.
Earlier in the 2018 election, he had joined the Gana Forum and later became the party’s general secretary. The party subsequently split into two factions centred around him.
He then co-founded the Gono Adhikar Parishad with DU Vice President Nurul Haque Nur, serving as its convener.
However, the party again split into two factions over him. After these events, he announced that he would quit politics.
In the event Mirza Fakhrul told the media that doctors were making their “best efforts” to ensure former prime minister Khaleda Zia recovers.
He said local and foreign doctors were working together and that people across the country were praying for her.
BNP Standing Committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain will provide further medical updates.
