Staff Correspondent:

No identified terrorist, extortionist, intimidator or person who creates fear in the society can become a member of BNP, said the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed.

He said this while speaking as the chief guest at the primary membership collection and form distribution program organized by the Metropolitan BNP at the historic Gazipur Rajbari ground on Saturday.

Rizvi said, “Those who are terrorists, extortionists, create fear among people, and those who are considered to be a terror in the society cannot become members of BNP. BNP is an ideological party; our main goal is to establish democracy and the rights of the people.”

He also said, “The paddy sheaf has been the election symbol of BNP for 47 years. Now, confusion is being created by raising such baseless claims that the symbol cannot be given unless the lotus is given. This is destroying the spirit of unity, and the defeated forces are taking advantage.”

Criticizing the government, Rizvi said, “Sheikh Hasina has been torturing BNP leaders and activists for the past 17 years through extrajudicial killings, disappearances, murders and false cases to remove obstacles in her path.”

He demanded that the interim government repeal all black laws, including the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Special Powers Act.