Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir paid tribute by placing flowers at the Teliapara Memorial in Madhabpur, Habiganj on Saturday. Photo: BSS

HABIGANJ, April 4, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Secretary General and Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today described the claim that BNP doesn't want reform as a completely false campaign. 

He said, "The statement that BNP does not want reforms is completely false and is being used to confuse the nation. BNP not only wants reforms but will also implement them." 

The minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organized on the occasion of 'Teliapara Day' in the district this noon. 

Speaking about the Liberation War, Mirza Fakhrul said, "Some people want to belittle the Liberation War. I want to make it clear to them that the Liberation War is our identity, our pride and our existence."

Regarding the July Uprising 2024, the minister said, "The student-people's movement against the fascist Sheikh Hasina government is another glorious chapter in our history. We embrace the July movement and uprising."

On party discipline, he said, "Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that an empty cowshed is better than having a wicked cow. Therefore, there will be no place for any corrupt or wicked person in BNP."

Fakhrul also called upon local Members of Parliament to take swift and effective initiatives to improve the living standards of neglected tea workers. 

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain, National Parliament Whip G K Gaus, and International Crimes Tribunal Prosecutor Aminul Islam spoke in the meeting as special guests. 

Additionally, local Members of Parliament, administration officials, freedom fighters, public representatives, political leaders, and people from various professions participated in the gathering.

Speakers said that the historic Teliapara Tea Garden in Habiganj is an important landmark of Bangladesh's Liberation War. It was here that the first well-organized military strategy was formulated to conduct the Liberation War, and the preliminary decision was taken to divide the war into 11 sectors and three brigades.