Pabna, Feb 19, (V7N) - Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, a member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee, asserted that while the party does not reject reforms, they have disagreements on specific issues. Speaking at a public rally organized by Pabna District BNP on February 18, Tuku condemned any denial of the 1971 Liberation War. He also warned that holding Union Parishad (UP) elections would lead to divisions and violence in villages, with the ruling Awami League exploiting the situation.
Tuku stressed that the caretaker government’s role is to conduct national parliamentary elections, not local ones. "Holding local elections would mean the return of the Awami League and could extend the caretaker government’s tenure indefinitely," he said, emphasizing that national elections must come first.
The BNP leader also addressed the issue of India’s involvement in Bangladesh's internal affairs, criticizing the neighboring country for its actions. “India may claim to be a good neighbor, but if it continues to dominate us, the people of Bangladesh will no longer support such behavior,” Tuku said. He urged India to reconsider its approach, stressing that actions must back the claim of being a good neighbor.
The rally, held at Pabna Government Edward College Ground, was led by Advocate Masud Khandaker, Secretary of Pabna District BNP. Key speakers included Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, special assistant to the BNP Chairperson, and Shahin Shawkat Khaled, BNP's Rajshahi Division Organizational Secretary. The event also featured remarks from other prominent BNP leaders, including Advocate Zakiur Rahman Pintu, who had been acquitted of a death sentence.
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