Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee member Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed has said that party activists have gathered to become inspired by the ideological struggle by bringing together both senior and younger members. He recalled that BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman had formed the BNP and its volunteer wing with the aim of standing beside the distressed, poor and disaster-affected people.

“Whenever the country has faced national disasters such as floods, tidal surges or earthquakes, the Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal has set an example by coming forward to serve the people,” Rizvi said. He added that the tradition continues under the leadership of the organisation’s current president S M Jilani and general secretary Rajib Ahsan. Similar activities were also carried out in the past under former presidents Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel and Mir Sarfat Ali Sapu.

Rizvi said the party has two core commitments. The first is to strengthen democratic practices and institutions in the state and society, while the second is to formulate and implement programmes aimed at public welfare.

He said the Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal has been playing a leading role in implementing social protection measures, supporting farmers and women, and advancing public welfare policies in line with the 31-point reform agenda announced under the leadership of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman.

Rizvi further said that only a government elected through a free and fair election can fulfil the commitments it makes to the people.

He criticised the employment and development pledges made by the previous Awami League government, describing them as false assurances, and highlighted what he termed BNP’s culture of keeping its promises.

He also spoke about various health-related issues, including the government’s measures to address measles outbreaks and vaccination programmes.

Rizvi made the remarks on Wednesday (August 19) while speaking to journalists after paying floral tributes at the graves of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia on the occasion of the 46th founding anniversary of the Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal.