MOULVIBAZAR, Dec 19: Putting aside long-standing grievances and misunderstandings, BNP leaders in Moulvibazar have sent out a message of unity. A reconciliation meeting was held with the vow to strengthen and reorganise the party by overcoming past divisions.
The meeting was organised by the District BNP under the initiative of former district president and Central Executive Committee Member M Naser Rahman, who is also the party's nominated candidate for Moulvibazar-3 (Sadar-Rajnagar). Leaders and activists from across the BNP family pledged to stand together in street movements and electoral battles.
District BNP, Municipal BNP, Sadar thana BNP, as well as leaders of Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Chatra Dal, Krishak Dal and Sramik Dal joined hands in the gathering.
Held on Thursday night in the Moulvibazar town, the four-and-a-half-hour meeting recalled memories of past struggles while discussing the party's future course. The atmosphere was charged with commitments of mutual respect, harmony and unity.
In his speech as the chief guest, Naser Rahman said, "For the greater interest of the party and the people, everyone must work together. To protect national sovereignty, secure people's rights, improve education and health, and achieve self-sufficiency in agriculture; there is no alternative to the sheaf of paddy. Forgetting past divisions, we must ensure a landslide victory for the Sheaf of Paddy to present it to our leader, former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and BNP's helmsman Tarique Rahman."
District BNP Convener Md Faizul Karim Moyun said, "The greatest strength of BNP is unity. If this unity remains intact, any political movement or electoral contest can be successful." The meeting was conducted by district BNP member secretary Abdur Rahim Ripon.
Other speakers included former vice-president Regina Naser, committee member Alhaj Abdul Mukit, and former general secretary and ex-upazila chairman Md Mizanur Rahman (VP Mizan). They stressed that united movement would pave the way for restoring democracy and benefit the party.
In the concluding session, senior leaders clasped hands with activists, pledging to forget past divisions and strengthen party unity. They expressed determination to conduct upcoming elections, political programmes and organisational activities in unison to secure victory for the Sheaf of Paddy.
