We Want to Turn Khaleda Zia’s Mourning into a Force for Nation-Building: Salahuddin Ahmed

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said his party wants to transform the mourning over former prime minister Khaleda Zia into a genuine force for nation-building, rising above narrow party interests. He stressed that the BNP does not view this grief as something to be used merely for electoral purposes.

Salahuddin Ahmed made the remarks on Thursday afternoon (January 1) while responding to journalists’ questions after visiting Khaleda Zia’s grave.

Addressing questions about Khaleda Zia’s nomination, he said that since she is no longer physically present, her nomination papers would automatically be considered invalid. However, he noted that alternative candidates are available, and if their nomination papers survive final scrutiny, they will be considered as the party’s official candidates.

Responding to a query on whether there is any legal scope to postpone the election, the BNP leader said there is currently no legal opportunity to defer the polls. He explained that if such a situation had arisen after the scrutiny of nomination papers and the allocation of electoral symbols, postponement might have been possible due to legal complications. At present, however, no such circumstances exist.

Salahuddin Ahmed also commented on BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, describing him as an important political figure. He said that in the greater national interest, Tarique Rahman must overcome personal grief and remain strong with firm resolve, adding that there is no alternative to this. He further said that, for now, the BNP acting chairman has no scheduled political programs.