All must join hands to maintain law and order: BNP’s Tarique Rahman after return to Bangladesh
Dhaka (PTI): Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday called on countrymen to join hands to maintain law and order, in his first address to party supporters hours after his arrival in Dhaka after a gap of 17 years.
“Whatever political party we belong to, whatever religion we believe in, whether we are non-partisan individuals -- all must join hands to maintain law and order,” he told thousands of party supporters gathered at the July 36 Expressway in the capital, where he went straight after arriving at the airport.
Rahman's call for maintaining law and order came amid a fresh wave of unrest and political instability gripping Bangladesh following the killing of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who was a prominent face in last year's mass protests that forced the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government.
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Rahman, the 60-year-old son of ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia, has emerged as a leading contender for prime ministership in the polls.
Referring to a popular quote from US civil rights activist Martin Luther King “I Have a dream”, Rahman said, “I have a plan for the people of my country and for my country,” state-owned Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha reported.
“This plan is for the interest of the people, for the development of the country, for changing the lot of the country. To implement the plan, I need the support of all the people of the country. If you stand beside us, God willing, we will be able to implement my plan,” Rahman added.
He said he wants to make a safe Bangladesh where people irrespective of castes, creeds and faiths, can live in a peaceful environment, the report said.
“We have people from the hills and the plains in this country – Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians. We want to build a safe Bangladesh, where every woman, man and child can leave home safely and return safely,” he said.
Rahman’s call for unity came as Jamaat-e-Islami, the BNP's coalition partner during its 2001-2006 tenure in power, has emerged as its main rival in the upcoming polls after the interim government blocked Awami League's participation under the country's tough Anti-Terrorism Act.
Referring to the 1971 liberation war, Rahman said, “Our loving motherland was achieved through the blood of lakhs of martyrs in the 1971 Liberation War,” he said.
He also recalled the Sepoy-People's Revolution of November 7, 1975, the 1990 anti-autocracy movement, and the uprising of August 5, 2024, as struggles to protect the country’s freedom and sovereignty, the report said.
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"In 2024, the students and masses all walks of life protected the independence and sovereignty of this country on that day," he said.
He said the people of Bangladesh now want to regain their democratic rights and right to speak.
Rahman also urged people to pray for her ailing mother and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, whom he was going to meet at the Evercare hospital in Dhaka after leaving the venue.
Zia, a three-time prime minister, has been undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit (ICU) at the hospital.
BNP emerged as the forerunner to capture power in the February polls, as former prime minister Hasina's Awami League party has been barred from contesting the election.
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John Robertson, two-time European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest, dies at 72
Nottingham (AP): John Robertson, a former Scotland winger who won the European Cup twice with Nottingham Forest and scored the only goal in the 1980 final, has died. He was 72.
The Premier League club said in a statement Thursday that it was “heartbroken to announce the passing of Nottingham Forest legend and dear friend, John Robertson.” No cause of death was given.
Robertson won 28 caps for Scotland during his five-year international career, which included being selected at the 1978 and 1982 World Cups.
He became a cult hero at Forest after playing an integral part in the East Midlands club's European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980.
Robertson provided the cross for Trevor Francis to head home the only goal against Swedish side Malmo in Munich as Brian Clough's side lifted the European Cup — which evolved into the Champions League — for the first time in 1979.
Twelve months later, Robertson was on the scoresheet in another 1-0 victory as Forest successfully defended its European crown against Hamburg in Madrid.
He also won the English League Cup twice with Forest.
Robertson started and ended his career at Forest, either side of a spell at local rival Derby.
“Rest in Peace, Robbo ... Our greatest,” Forest said.
