(BSS) - BNP Standing Committee member and party candidate for Cox’s Bazar-1 constituency, Salahuddin Ahmed, today said that those who did not believe in Bangladesh’s independence are now actively engaged in creating religious divisions in the country.

Salahuddin made the remarks while addressing a roadside election rally organised by the local union BNP at Manikpara area of West Barabheola in Chakaria upazila this afternoon.

Salahuddin Ahmed said other political parties currently active in the field have no concrete plans for the welfare of the people. “They want to create political division on the basis of religion, but the people of this country don’t want that,” he added.

Calling for national unity, he said Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty must be protected at any cost. He alleged that democracy in the country had once been destroyed but was restored repeatedly under the leadership of the BNP.

Referring to the student-led mass uprising, Salahuddin Ahmed said hundreds of people were martyred and many shed blood on the streets with the aspiration of building a democratic Bangladesh and establishing a discrimination-free society. He sought votes for the BNP’s electoral symbol ‘Dhaner Shish’ (Sheaf of Paddy) to realise those aspirations and to build the country envisioned by the martyrs.

He further said the BNP’s agenda is realistic and people-oriented. “We don’t want to create educated unemployed youth; we want to create skilled and productive manpower. Our goal is to transform the country’s 18 crore people into 36 crore working hands,” he said.

Highlighting BNP’s development plans, he said the party has programmes for environmental protection, including tree plantation, canal excavation, and reducing plastic pollution and usage.

Salahuddin Ahmed also said the BNP would restore discipline to the country’s economy, which had fallen into chaos in the past. He urged voters to cast their ballots in favour of the Dhaner Shish (Sheaf of Paddy) to achieve these goals.

Among others, Matamuhuri organisational upazila BNP President Jamil Ibrahim Chowdhury, General Secretary Hefazutur Rahman Tipu Mia, Organising Secretary Shoaibul Islam Sabuj, and senior BNP leaders were present at the meeting.