BNP to make clear where it stands on Ishraque: Salam Abdus

  BNP to make clear where it stands on Ishraque: Salam Abdus

BNP chairperson’s adviser Abdus Salam addresses local people after visiting Premtoli Gourangabari in Godagari, Rajshahi on 20 June 2025Prothom Alo

 Regarding the actions of party leader Ishraque Hossain, who has begun acting as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) without taking an oath of office, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party will shortly make its stance clear.

This was stated to the media by Abdus Salam, the adviser to the BNP chairwoman, following a program in Rajshahi on Friday.

Abdus Salam responded that the party would soon make clear its stance on the apparent message from the government to the BNP that city corporation elections would proceed if Ishraque Hossain did not resign.

"I have spent the last two days in Rajshahi. The BNP will now examine the matter and state its position. But there is no reason to hold municipal elections before of the national elections," he said.

Around 11:00 a.m. today, he visited Premtoli Gourangabari in Godagari, Rajshahi, and engaged in a public discussion with locals before making the statements to the media.

Abdus Salam added that Tarique Rahman, the acting head of the BNP, recently spoke with the chief adviser about holding national elections and nothing else. He went on to say, "There are no other considerations."

The BNP leader added that the announcement of the national election calendar has already been requested from the election commission. Local polling prior to the general election is completely out of the question in this situation. 

The crisis arose on June 15 during a meeting led by BNP leader Ishraque Hossain in the conference room of Dhaka South City Corporation's headquarters, Nagar Bhaban. In the Nagar Bhaban, it was his first time attending such an event.

He was referred to as the "Honourable Mayor" on the event's flag, and Ishraque was the main guest. Since then, he has held multiple gatherings to share opinions while claiming to be the mayor of the DSCC.

Speaking on the subject, Abdus Salam stated that the BNP would undoubtedly make clear where it stands on the government's position on the Ishraque problem.

Speaking on the nature of campaigning in the approaching national election, Abdus Salam made a statement regarding the use of billboards rather than posters. He stated that while the government must make sure that no black money is used during the elections, it must also make sure that campaigning is not unduly impeded.

Additionally, he discussed push-in across the border. "Why is India driving people in?" said Abdus Salam during the Gourangabari meeting. Our question is that. They should work with the government if they have to return someone. Pushing them in with force is unacceptable.

Abdus Salam claimed that the Awami League was stealing land from minority communities the most, despite the BNP being a party that represents all religions and ideas.

AL has taken the most land from Hindus, he claimed. No BNP leader has taken their land.

He claims that because the BNP is a party that accepts all religions and ideas, it does not consider anyone to be Hindu, Muslim, Christian, or Buddhist.

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