BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said on Monday the upcoming national elections will be much tougher for BNP than the earlier ones.
He urged BNP leaders and activists to work hard to garner public support.
Speaking virtually at a discussion at a workshop held in Khulna and Mymensingh he said, "It may be that our main opponent has become weaker, but even so, this election will be far more tougher than the previous ones."
Tarique said, "In light of my 30-35 years of political experience, it seems that although one of our main opponents may have weakened, the next election will still be one of the toughest we've ever faced."
BNP central training committee organised the workshop at Tarique Smrity Auditorium, Mymensingh and Khulna Press Club to discuss the party's 31-point state reform proposal.
He said it is becoming increasingly clear that the next election will not be easy, as people's thoughts and ideas changed in last 20 years.
"The people are now much more conscious thanks to social media and other factors," said Tarique.
Tarique, the elder son of Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, said that the people trust BNP.
"But retaining this trust is difficult. It is our responsibility, not the people's.
The people will keep their trust on you if you stay connected with them and behave and speak in line with their expectations," he said.
Tarique said the BNP always believes that the source of all the party's power is the people. "So, be with the people and keep the people with you."
He said some BNP leaders and workers have started believing they are already in power.
"I would like to tell you all that we have not come to power yet. I don't know if we will come to power. We'll only be able to gain power when we earn the support of the people of Bangladesh. So, we must earn the people's support."
Tarique said the future of BNP depends on the way its leaders and workers speak, behave and make statements.
"People recognise you as BNP, whether you belong to Chhatra Dal, Juba Dal, Swechchasebak Dal, or any other associated body. So, you must act in a way that ensures their support is for you and for the party in the future," he said.
He said it is the responsibility of everyone in BNP to maintain the party's image.
Tarique said, if BNP leaders made mistakes in last three months, they need to correct themselves and guide their colleagues on the right path.
He urged party leaders and workers to earn public trust through good work and positive attitude to implement the 31-point proposals.
"We must retain the people's trust in us at any cost. If we truly believe that the people are the ultimate source of power, we must behave accordingly."
Tarique said the 31-point programme provides details of what the BNP will do if it receives the public mandate to run the state.
He urged party leaders and activists to present the proposals to the common people in order to gain their support. While some people are now talking about reforms, BNP prepared its reform proposal two years ago, he said.
Tarique said the issues now under discussion for reforms are in BNP's 31-point programme, which was formulated in consultation with other parties.
"We must secure public support for the 31-point reforms programme of BNP," said Tarique
