BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today spoke after paying tribute at mausoleum of the party's founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e- Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Oct 4, 2025 (BSS) - BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today said Hindu and Muslim community people together guarded the Puja Mandaps during this year's Durga Puja.

"Every people of this country irrespective of Hindu, Muslim, Alem-Olama (Islamic scholars), Moazzens (those who call for prayer) and Imams of mosques or madrasah students protected the Puja Mandaps. This is our tradition, the tradition of harmony," he said,

Rizvi told journalists after paying tribute at mausoleum of the party's founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e- Bangla Nagar here this morning. 

Newly formed convening committee members of the Association of Engineers of Bangladesh (AEB) were present.

In response to a question about the Election Commission's (EC) preparedness for the election, Rizvi said, "I believe it is not at all a difficult task for the EC to complete the preparations within the time they had. I hope the Election Commission has finalized those preparations."

Stating that the people of the country are eager to cast their votes, the veteran BNP leader said, "The people of this country are willing to vote. Therefore, those who are trying to create a new issue to distract the people and confuse them will be caught by the public."

Referring to the fact that the people of the country have not been able to vote for the last 16 years, he added, "The people haven't been able to vote for the last 16 years. Sheikh Hasina snatched away the voting rights. This fascist has made a farce of elections".

"Awami League gave cows and calves the opportunity to roam in the polling centers, but did not allow voters to cast their votes. They cast the day's votes at night using the RAB (Rapid Action Battalion), Chhatra League and Jubo League," he continued.

Rizvi expressed his hope that the interim government will fully realize the people's 16-year yearning to vote.

Calling the political parties not to spread false information, he said, "You will not be able to confuse the people with erroneous statistics and false information. If you disregard them, the people will give their correct verdict through their votes, because the 'Sheaf of Paddy' (Dhaner Shis) is their favourite symbol. They have not been able to vote for this symbol for a long time."