BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas has stated that reforms in Bangladesh began with Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, who replaced one-party BAKSAL rule with a multi-party democracy.

Criticizing the proposal to divide the country into four provinces, he said, “We do not want reforms that create division. BNP believes in the politics of unity because only a united population can ensure the country’s development.”

He further emphasized that reforms should not come at the cost of halting elections. “Reforms and elections must go hand in hand because a country cannot remain without elections indefinitely,” he asserted.

Mirza Abbas made these remarks as the chief guest at a workshop titled “Tareq Rahman’s 31-Point Proposal for State Reconstruction and Public Engagement,” organized by BNP’s Dhaka Metropolitan South Motijheel Unit at the AGB Colony Eidgah Ground.

The event was presided over by BNP Dhaka Metropolitan South Convener Rafiq-ul Alam Majnu and conducted by Member Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin.

BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council Member and valiant freedom fighter Abdus Salam attended as a special guest. The reform proposals were read by Mohila Dal President Afroza Abbas, while BNP Acting Chairman Tareq Rahman’s advisor Mahdi Amin provided an analysis.

Abdus Salam stated that the struggle would continue until people’s right to vote and freedom of speech were restored. He further said that due to its principled politics, BNP and its leaders—Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, and Tareq Rahman—remain the most popular figures in the country.