Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today called upon the party men to stay with the people and achieve their trust and love through their respective works.

"The country will go on an election roadmap following the path of reform activities. So, let us achieve the people's trust and love. Stay with the people and keep them with us," he said.

While addressing a rally in the capital’s Naya Paltan area on Tuesday, the BNP leader also urged the interim government to remain cautious so that they do not end up being the reason for their own failure. 

The BNP held the rally before its headquarters, marking the International Day of Democracy. The rally was initially scheduled for 15 September but was later deferred to 17 September, due to hostile weather. 

"Some activities of this government may not be considered as a success by all. But we all have to remember that the failure of this government is the failure of all of us and the failure of the pro-democracy people of Bangladesh. So this interim government can in no way be allowed to fail," Tarique Rahman said while virtually addressing BNP's Nayapaltan rally in Dhaka as the chief guest.

The BNP leader, however, said the current government itself must also be careful that it does not fail.

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"The reform programmes need to be carried forward keeping in mind the goal of establishing an accountable government, and a parliament formed by representatives elected by the people," he said.

Tarique Rahman stated that without political empowerment and direct involvement of the people in the reform process, no democracy or reform is sustainable and effective. 

"Political empowerment of the people can only be ensured by establishing the right of voters to elect their desired representatives through a free, fair and impartial election," he added. 

"The interim government has already undertaken reforms in several areas. However, the BNP feels that if the interim government fails to set priorities in terms of agenda setting, conspiratorial circles may take various opportunities to disrupt the success of the mass uprising," he further added.

Tarique Rahman also said the interim government is working to restore order in the country following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's fascist and despotic regime.

He said although Hasina, the head of the mafia clique, fled the country, the beneficiaries and evil forces have continued to challenge the interim government from within the administration or under the guise of politics.

"The people will not allow the government to fail amid various provocations from home and abroad," Tarique Rahman said.

He said the current interim government is the outcome of the supreme sacrifice of thousands of martyrs and the mass uprising of millions of people.

The BNP acting chairman urged his party men to earn the trust and affection of the people through their work.

"Change in power means qualitative change in state and politics. Therefore, every political leader and activist needs to remember that for qualitative change in politics, qualitative change in the behaviour of political party leaders and activists is also necessary," Tarique Rahman said.

"I would like to say that the country will be on the electoral roadmap along the path of reforms. So, let us all earn the trust and love of the people through work. We should stand by the people and keep them with us," he also said.

At a rally, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "The people of Bangladesh have always fought for the establishment of democratic rights, not just in 1952 or 1971. We have put forward 31 demands to ensure that democracy is firmly established. The sacrifices of the students and the people have given us an opportunity to establish democracy, and we must not waste it."

Referring to the interim government, Mirza Fakhrul said, "Many remnants of fascism still reside within the government, and they are conspiring to undermine our victory."

He also called on the current government to provide state compensation for every person injured, disabled, or martyred in the movement.

The rally was chaired by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and conducted by BNP Publicity Secretary Sultan Salauddin Tuku, Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP Member Secretary Aminul Haque, and Dhaka Metropolitan South Member Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin.

Other speakers included BNP Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, Vice Chairman Advocate Zainul Abedin, Dr. Asaduzzaman Ripon, BNP Chairperson's Advisor Md. Abdus Salam, Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Abdus Salam Azad, Special Assistant to the Chairperson Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Joint Secretary General Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohel, Organizational Secretary Kazi Sayyedul Alam Babul, Women's Wing President Afroza Abbas, Volunteer Wing General Secretary Rajib Ahsan, and Farmers' Wing President Hasan Jafir Tuhin, among others.