BNP Standing Committee Member Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain spoke at the membership collection and renewal program held in Rangpur today. Photo: BSS

 
RANGPUR, May 29, 2025 (BSS) – BNP Standing Committee Member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain has said if July-August 2024 is not remembered, then authoritarian rule may return again.
 
“The 1947 and 1971 cannot be forgotten, just like November 7, 1975 cannot be forgotten. At the same time, 1990 cannot be forgotten, if we forget 1990, tyranny will raise its head again. Similarly, we have to remember July-August 2024,” he said.
 
Dr Zahid made this comment as the chief guest at the membership collection and membership renewal program inaugural ceremony organised by the Rangpur divisional unit of BNP at the District Shilpakala Academy auditorium on Thursday afternoon. 
 
BNP Organizing Secretary (Rangpur division) Principal Asadul Habib Dulu presided over the program. He also delivered a welcome address highlighting the goals and objectives of arranging the event.
 
Dr Zahid said, for the past 16 years, those who have taken all kinds of benefits with the fascists, and after August 5, they are thinking of enjoying new benefits under the banner of BNP, they cannot be included as members of the party. 
 
“We should make members those who won   people's hearts. We should not make members for whom we have to hide faces. We should collect members by screening. In this process, we should not look at the brother group or this or that group,” he said. 
 
He said, “But only those whom the society respects and honours should be encouraged to become members of the BNP founded by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.” 
 
Dr Zahid advised local party units and leaders to encourage former teachers and the respected persons in other professions to become members of the BNP.
 
“Those who were not with BNP during its difficult times, those who stayed way, cannot be brought into its leadership even if they are made members,” he said. 
 
He said that those who were with the BNP in adverse situations, were in the movement and were in the BNP will lead the BNP.
 
BNP National Executive Committee Treasurer and BNP Primary Membership Renewal Activities Committee Member-secretary M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Rural Development and Cooperative Affairs Secretary Farhad Hossain Azad, Joint Organizing Secretaries for Rangpur Division Abdul Khaleque and Professor Aminul Islam, Rangpur Metropolitan BNP Convener Shamsuzzaman Samu, District Committee Convener Saiful Islam, its Member Secretary Anisur Rahman Laku addressed the event as special guests.
 
Rangpur Metropolitan BNP Member-secretary Advocate Mahfuz Un Nabi Don moderated the program. 
 
Conveners and member-secretaries and leaders of all units of 10 district units of BNP from Rangpur division were present at the membership collection and renewal program.