BNP’s parliamentary party meeting was held Thursday, attended by the prime minister, ministers, chief whip, whips and MPs. At the meeting, Prime Minister Tareque Rahman broadly cautioned ministers and MPs on three issues, according to multiple sources familiar with the meeting.
Ahead of the upcoming local government elections, particularly union parishad polls, the prime minister called on everyone to work in unity to support honest and capable candidates and to prevent any factional infighting within the party.
As parliamentary leader, Tareque Rahman also directed MPs to play a role in ensuring victory for party-backed candidates in the local government elections, particularly urging them to work for party-backed candidates in union parishads and to support “honest and capable” candidates.
Several MPs said the prime minister cautioned them that, since the upcoming election will not use party symbols, it would not be right to sideline those who have sacrificed for the party. He noted that many MPs are trying to support their preferred candidates and bring forward young leaders, and said this should be done in coordination with grassroots leaders, so that grassroots-level resentment or questions do not arise. The prime minister also warned that no distance or conflict should be created among party leaders and workers.
Second, BNP is treating its founding anniversary seriously. Sources familiar with the meeting said Prime Minister Tareque Rahman directed all MPs and ministers to be present in their own constituencies for founding-anniversary programs. He emphasized that everyone should remain alert to propaganda and disinformation being spread against the government, and should respond to it.
Third, the prime minister directed party members to remain active at the grassroots level to counter disinformation campaigns against the government. He said the correct message from ministers’ briefings on the current crisis situation should reach ordinary people, so that the public does not form a mistaken impression of the government. The prime minister directed party MPs to inform the public about the electricity, energy, fertilizer and gas crises alongside local government matters.
The meeting was told that new fertilizer dealers will be appointed within the next day or two to address the fertilizer shortage, with relevant officials already having begun work. The government is also closely monitoring proper fertilizer supply and distribution. The prime minister urged everyone to remain vigilant against anyone attempting to spread disinformation on this issue.