Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed the party’s firm stance on maintaining law and order surrounding the upcoming Durga Puja festival, ensuring the security of minority communities, and taking a tough position against extortion and land grabbing.
Tarique, also the BNP chairman, also cautioned members of parliament to select acceptable and qualified single candidates for local government elections and ensure that no allegations of irregularities arise against them.
The prime minister issued these directives during a meeting with ruling party members of parliament held at the Parliament Building on Sunday, running from 6:20pm to 9:20pm.
This information was gathered from conversations with several members of parliament who attended the meeting.
Zero tolerance on extortion, land grabbing
During the meeting, the prime minister delivered a stern message against extortion and land grabbing, instructing members of parliament to play a more responsible role in areas where such incidents occur.
He warned that action would be taken against any member of parliament or their followers if allegations of extortion, land grabbing, or other illegal activities damage the party’s image.
Additionally, the prime minister laid special emphasis on keeping upcoming local government elections free from influence, urging coordination among party leaders and the avoidance of unnecessary disputes when selecting candidates.
Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh late at night following the meeting, Selimuzzaman Selim, lawmaker for Gopalganj-1 and co-organising secretary of BNP’s Faridpur division, said special importance was attached in the prime minister’s directives to puja security, preventing potential sabotage by Awami League during the festival, and selecting single candidates in local government elections.
Local polls and overall vigilance
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Nurul Islam Moni, chief whip of Jatiya Sangsad, said the prime minister issued instructions to members of parliament on several matters, including Durga Puja.
Asked by reporters whether any political activity regarding Sheikh Hasina’s announcement to return to Bangladesh in December was on the meeting’s agenda, the chief whip said the issue came up for discussion.
He added that the party remains on alert regarding the overall situation.
