No Interference in Local Government Elections: PM

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has said there will be no interference by the government or the party in upcoming local government elections, unlike during the previous regime. He urged party leaders and activists to identify popular candidates who can win public support and start reaching out to voters now.

He made the remarks at an organisational meeting at Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View on Tuesday night. Around 450 leaders and activists from Chattogram Metropolitan, North and South District BNP units and their affiliated organisations attended the meeting. Media representatives were not allowed to enter.

Several party leaders told this correspondent after the meeting that Mr. Tarique Rahman outlined the party’s position on upcoming city corporation, upazila and other local government elections. He made it clear that securing the party nomination would not guarantee victory. Candidates would have to win through public support in free, fair and credible elections without undue influence.

According to the leaders, Mr. Tarique Rahman instructed grassroots leaders to remain united and select candidates who enjoy public acceptance and have a realistic chance of winning. He reiterated that the government would not interfere in the elections as the previous regime had done.

The prime minister also urged party leaders and activists to assist law enforcement agencies in maintaining law and order, working alongside respected members of society.

He called on them to remain vigilant and perform their responsibilities properly, saying this could reduce crime by 50 per cent. He warned party members against involvement in criminal activities, stressing that there would be no leniency in such cases.

“If you want drug problems in your area to decline, law and order to improve, and theft and fraud to decrease, that desire must come from you. Administrative measures alone will not be enough,” he said.

Mr. Tarique Rahman said the strength of political parties lay in the people and that responsible political action could help reduce wrongdoing. He expressed optimism that collective efforts could create the positive environment people expected.

Several participants said the prime minister also instructed party members to remain united in countering what he described as rumours and conspiracies spread by the activities-banned Awami League and Jamaat-e-Islami in the name of the current government. He also asked them to highlight the government’s achievements before the public.

The BNP chairman recalled the sacrifices of party leaders and activists over the past 17 years, saying many had faced false cases and persecution but had remained active on the streets.

He said the BNP’s prolonged struggle had helped draw international attention to what he described as authoritarian rule in Bangladesh.

Referring to the 2024 mass uprising, Mr. Tarique Rahman said the BNP had initiated the movement and subsequently brought people from different social and professional backgrounds into it. The movement eventually turned into a mass uprising led by students and the public, he added.

He said the government was now facing challenges on two fronts: political and administrative. The latter included the economy, healthcare, education and other sectors that he said had been damaged over the previous 17 years.

“We have had to start not from zero but from below zero,” he said, adding that sustained efforts would be needed to reach zero before moving forward.

Chattogram Metropolitan BNP Convener Ershad Ullah, MP, delivered the welcome address, while Member Secretary Nazimur Rahman moderated the meeting. Grassroots leaders began arriving before evening to exchange views with the party chairman. The prime minister arrived at the venue around 10pm after attending a Durga Puja programme at JM Sen Hall. Due to time constraints, party leaders reportedly could not deliver their planned speeches.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Vice-Chairmen Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin, Nitai Roy Chowdhury and Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury were among those present.

Other attendees included BNP Chairman’s Advisory Council members Golam Akbar Khondaker and SM Fazlul Haque, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anny, Local Government State Minister Mir Shah-e-Alam, Chattogram Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain, Chattogram Divisional Organising Secretary Mahbubur Rahman Shamim, Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Saching Pru Jerry, Land State Minister Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, other party officials and lawmakers, and leaders of the city and district BNP units.

Earlier, Mr. Tarique Rahman visited the Durga Puja celebrations at JM Sen Hall in Chattogram to extend greetings to members of the Hindu community. He arrived at Shah Amanat International Airport from Rajshahi at 7:40pm aboard a military aircraft.

Crowds gathered outside JM Sen Hall and Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View to welcome him. After visiting the puja venue, he joined party activists on the streets, walking from JM Sen Hall along Momin Road to Cheragi Pahar before getting into his vehicle. Party activists also gathered along the route from the hotel to the airport to see him off.

Mr. Tarique Rahman previously visited Chattogram on August 9 after taking office as prime minister. During that visit, he attended programmes in Banshkhali, Fatikchhari, Hathazari and Chattogram city and met party leaders and activists at Radisson Blu.