Don’t sacrifice political struggle for dealership, contracts, Rizvi tells BNP leaders

BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday warned party leaders and activists against sacrificing their long political struggle for personal gains, such as fertiliser dealerships and government contracts, saying they must maintain public confidence through tolerance and responsible conduct.

“If we sell out our long political struggle to obtain fertiliser dealerships and contracts, we will not be able to achieve anything significant. We will fail to secure our greater goals. Ordinary people, who are the voters, should see that BNP leaders and activists are extremely tolerant,” he said.

Rizvi made the remarks at a commemorative meeting marking the 10th death anniversary of former minister and BNP National Standing Committee member Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah.

He said BNP leaders and activists should not remain preoccupied with their personal gains or losses but focus on the broader responsibilities of the party and the government.

“After 17 years of hardship, we have secured a BNP government through a free and fair election under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He is working day and night to make the country prosperous,” Rizvi said.

He said the government is trying to ease people's hardship and meet their basic needs despite various challenges.

Industrial mills and factories faced the risk of closure due to gas and electricity shortages, but the situation was gradually improving under Tarique's leadership, he said.

“By the grace of Allah, we are gradually getting these services back in many places. Gas stoves in our kitchens are burning again. I believe the situation will gradually return to normal in the coming days,” he said.

Rizvi urged party leaders and activists to consider themselves part of the government, regardless of the positions they have received.

“What matters is that the government maintains a good image and continues to run the country with sincerity. We must all cooperate in this effort,” he said.

He urged MPs to maintain peace and stability in their constituencies and called on party leaders and activists to support them. He also asked lawmakers to stand by people in both good times and difficult situations.

“We have all been involved in politics. We did not enter politics to become wealthy overnight,” he said.

Rizvi claimed that BNP leaders and activists were not behaving like those involved in what he described as the previous regime's fascist rule.

He alleged that during the previous regime, those in power looted public money, occupied people's land and took cattle from cowsheds and fish from ponds, creating disorder to establish a system of plunder.

“The BNP will not repeat those practices. The party has no such commitment. The BNP stands for peace, stability and the rule of law,” he said.

He stressed that even grassroots-level party workers were part of the government and must exercise restraint to preserve peace and stability.

Rizvi also alleged that conspiracies and attempts to create instability were continuing. He said police had arrested two retired army officers on Sunday over suspected plans for sabotage.

Urging party leaders and activists to remain vigilant, particularly ahead of Durga Puja, he called on them to take responsibility for maintaining peace and security voluntarily, without waiting for specific instructions.

“If we understand our responsibilities and work accordingly, the people of this country will continue to support the nationalist forces,” he said, warning party members to ensure their conduct never resembled that of activists from the previous regime.

Rizvi concluded by praying for the eternal peace of Hannan Shah.

The meeting was attended by BNP Gazipur district President Fazlul Haque Milan, BNP National Executive Committee Organising Secretary for Dhaka Division Saiful Haque Bablu, Hannan Shah's son and BNP leader Reazul Hannan, former central Chhatra Dal leaders and BNP lawmakers.