Staff Correspondent, Dhaka
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday urged the country's people to remain alert against conspiracies to destroy national unity and the electoral environment.
"Evil attempts continue to destroy the national unity that was built on blood-soaked streets and the electoral atmosphere,” Tarique said while addressing the opening session of the BNP's extended meeting in the capital.
The meeting started at 11am on the LD Hall premise of the Jatiya Sangsad with the participation of some 3,500 leaders from across the country.
Addressing the participants, Tarique said: “Through you, I would like to call upon farmers, workers, common people, Alem-Ulema, Peer-Mashayekh (Islamic scholars and spiritual leaders) and all sections of society to stay vigilant against this conspiracy to destroy national unity and the environment of the national election."
He said a great opportunity has emerged for democratic forces to rebuild Bangladesh after the fleeing of Sheikh Hasina.
But those who wanted to turn Bangladesh into a subservient state have not stopped their conspiracies, he added.
“A smokescreen is being created before the public using issues like reforms and local government elections,” said the BNP acting chairman.
Tarique presided over the meeting virtually from London.
He was also scheduled to address the BNP leaders during the closing session.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir delivered a welcome speech in the opening session.
The inaugural session featured a screening of the documentary "Prothom Bangladesh, Amar Shesh Bangladesh" produced by the extended meeting implementation media sub-committee.
Besides, Amra BNP Poribar has already published a magazine titled "Aastha" to mark this significant event.
Following the inauguration, a closed-door session was to take place where grassroots leaders would share their views.
According to the BNP’s central office, 3,500 leaders from six organizational tiers, ranging from grassroots to the central level, were participating in the extended meeting.
