BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday described the shooting of Dhaka-8 independent candidate Sharif Osman Bin Hadi as a “conspiracy against democracy.”“Today’s attack on Sharif Osman Bin Hadi is not an isolated incident. Similar incidents have occurred before. A few days ago, one of our MP candidates in Chattogram also came under attack — this is a conspiracy,” he said.Speaking at the closing session of the sixth day of BNP’s “Plan to Build the Country” workshop at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB), Tarique urged the nation to stand united against such plots. “If we are to stand up against this injustice, then we must establish democracy at any cost. We must restore our democratic values and democratic rights,” he said.

The BNP leader called upon members of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal to take responsibility for defending democracy as they are the “future of the nation.”

“The people of this country can resist such conspiracies. These conspiracies can be stopped and defeated only through democratic practices and democracy itself,” he added.

Sharif Osman Bin Hadi was shot on Friday after Jumma prayers on Box Culvert Road in Bijoynagar, Dhaka. He sustained serious injuries and was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Addressing student leaders during the workshop, Tarique highlighted the party’s development plans.

“I am presenting our party’s plans to you. I am giving you the responsibility to explain these plans to the people and earn their support. I believe you can do this successfully, because you have the ability and the talent,” he told them.

The BNP leader noted that initiatives such as the farmers’ card, family card, and health card had already been unveiled, and he urged Chhatra Dal leaders and activists to take these messages to households across the country.

The programme was inaugurated in the morning by BNP leader Salahuddin at the KIB auditorium, with BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi presiding.

Leaders and activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal joined the session to receive training on various issues so they can reach out to the public and explain BNP’s plans, election manifesto, and promises ahead of the polls.