Anti-Awami Fascism public meeting in Shibpur, Narsingdi.

Daily Bijoy News Shibpur, Narsingdi Correspondent:

An anti-Awami Fascism public meeting, organized by the Shibpur Upazila BNP, was held on Sunday, November 16, in the afternoon at the Itakhola Balur Math in the upazila. Prior to this, on the 14th of November, two nomination aspirants held a public meeting presided over by Abu Saleh Rikabdar, the General Secretary of the Upazila BNP. Following this, on the 16th of November in the afternoon, a public meeting of two more nomination aspirants was held. Nominations for 4 out of the 5 seats in Narsingdi have been awarded. The nomination for one seat, Narsingdi-3 Shibpur, has been postponed.

Presiding over today's Sunday public meeting was Abu Taher Khondkar, Vice-President of Shibpur Upazila BNP and former Chairman of Ayubpur Union Parishad. The chief guest of the public meeting was Freedom Fighter Abul Haris Rikabdar Kala Mia, President of Shibpur Upazila BNP and 'Dhaner Sheesh' (Paddy Sheaf) symbol nomination aspirant for Narsingdi-3 Shibpur constituency. He said, "We practice politics of honesty and the ideology of Zia. To those who say there is no BNP without them, I say, look at this public gathering today and see who is in the BNP. I have been in the BNP for 30/35 years. As President, I have held the party together. Today the party is united."

The main speaker of the gathering was Mohammad Akramul Hasan Mintu, member of BNP's National Executive Committee, former General Secretary of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Central Council, and 'Dhaner Sheesh' symbol nomination aspirant for Narsingdi-3 Shibpur constituency. He said, "I have been a victim of torture and oppression by the fascist Awami government. I have lost count of how many times I have been sent to jail. I have stood by BNP leaders and workers who were victims of torture and oppression. I have inquired about their well-being. I have been to jail repeatedly. Yet, I have not stepped back from the struggle for people's rights. When I last went to jail, my wife was pregnant. My younger child was 5 years old. I lived in fear, wondering when I might be killed in my sleep or in a crossfire. I was never absent from the streets of Dhaka in the movements of January 24 and August 24. You all know who was in the movement and struggle. Today, many say many things tempted by money. I have inquired about the well-being of those from Shibpur who went to jail. In the future, I will work to create employment opportunities for the women of Shibpur. I will encourage the youth and students in sports. Our leader Tarique Rahman has said we will build a democratic Bangladesh and establish a Bangladesh of justice by implementing the 31-point agenda. With that goal, we continue to work in Shibpur. Given the opportunity in the future, I will build a prosperous Shibpur under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. For that, I seek the cooperation of all of you."

Among others present were former President of Upazila Chhatra Dal Nurul Amin Rikabdar Jahan, former Chairman of Baghab Union Tarun Mridha, freedom fighter Mosharraf Hossain, and leaders of Shibpur Upazila BNP and its associated organizations.

Daily Bijoy News / Abu Naeem Ripon