As the upcoming local government elections approach, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) held interviews with prospective party nominees in Raypur, Laxmipur, on Saturday.
The interviews for nomination seekers from Charpata Union No. 5 and Keroa Union No. 6 were held at the Raypur Upazila BNP office on Saturday morning.
Laxmipur-2 MP and chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Youth and Sports Abul Khayer Bhuiyan was the chief guest at the interview session.
Addressing the nomination seekers, he said the party must maintain strong unity to implement the vision of its leader Tarique Rahman.
“We all have to remain firmly united and work together to implement our leader Tarique Rahman’s vision. If we are not united, we will fall apart. Therefore, this is an extremely important election for us,” he said.
He said the party would nominate one chairman, nine male members and three female members, and warned that no one should contest the election outside those selected by the party.
“Our position on this matter is clear,” he said.
He also warned that anyone who contests against the party’s decision would face strict organisational action.
Abul Khayer Bhuiyan said many of the nomination seekers had spent years working for the community and the area, investing their own money and labour and making sacrifices for the party.
“The contributions of those who have made sacrifices for the party for a long time will certainly be taken into consideration,” he said.
He added that if the party did not have a suitable candidate in a particular area, it could consider someone who had not previously worked directly with the party but enjoyed public acceptance locally and could secure votes for the party.
“Everything will be decided after organisational scrutiny, assessment and analysis,” he said.
He also said the party wanted to work with people regardless of religion, differences of opinion or political affiliation.
“Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians—we want to work with everyone regardless of differences and party affiliations. We have to implement the commitments we have made. If elected representatives at the local level are not with us, Raypur residents and the country as a whole will suffer,” he said.
Former Dhaka College Chhatra Dal president Anwara Hossain Tipu, Raypur Upazila BNP president ZM Nazmul Islam Mithu, general secretary Shafiqul Rahman Bhuiyan, organising secretary Shakil Faisal, municipal BNP president ABM Jilani, general secretary Nazrul Islam Liton, former municipal BNP member secretary Shafiqul Alam Almas, Upazila Krishak Dal convener Mohammad Kawsar Molla, Upazila Jubo Dal convener Advocate Arman Hossain, municipal Jubo Dal member secretary Zahid Mohammad Zakir, senior joint secretary Ahmed, Nabiullah Rubel, Upazila Jubo Dal member secretary Sujon Patwari and Upazila Chhatra Dal convener Mahfuzur Rahman Hridoy were present, along with local leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organisations.
According to party sources, interviews are being conducted with prospective candidates by considering their organisational roles, public engagement, loyalty to the party and acceptability at the local level.
