BNP Deputy Office Secretary Ed. Taiful Islam Tipu said that if BNP is strong, the country and democracy will be strong.He made the remarks at a brief gathering after a rally organized in memory of the martyrs on the anniversary of the July-August mass uprising, attended by thousands of BNP leaders and activists, at Gopalpur Municipality in Natore on Saturday (August 2) afternoon.Tipu said, "The fascist Hasina government came to power through elections without voters and sat on the people like a rock. There was no freedom of speech and democracy in the country."Under the leadership of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, the students and people of this country have brought down the dictatorship through a historic mass uprising.Tipu also said that in the changed situation free from fascism, BNP must be further strengthened. The Awami League, by becoming a plaything of the hegemonic forces, wanted to destroy democracy and weaken the country by destroying BNP. The people have thwarted that.Addressing the leaders and activists, he said that everyone should be ready to join the caravan that will begin the struggle to build a new Bangladesh under the leadership of Tarique Rahman by achieving absolute victories in Lalpur and Bagatipara in the next elections.