No poll code violation in Tarique's northern region tour: Salahuddin

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed has stated that the upcoming four-day tour of the northern region by party Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will not violate the election code of conduct, as the visit in intended to pay homage to the martyrs of the July mass uprising, reports agencies.
"Some people may interpret this tour differently. However, paying proper respect to the martyrs of the 2024 student-led mass uprising is both our duty and a national responsibility. Our leader, Tarique Rahman, wanted to undertake this visit for a long time, but for various reasons, it could not happen earlier," he said.
Talking to reporters in front of the BNP Chairperson's Gulshan office in the capital on Thursday, Salahuddin, also a BNP standing committee member, said paying tributes to the martyrs and visiting their graves is the nation's expectation.
"We uphold the spirit of the mass uprising, and we must elevate that spirit. That is why he is going. From this perspective, there is no issue of violating the election code of conduct," he said.
The BNP leader urged everyone not to question the dignity of the 2024 student uprising, but instead to further honour and glorify the sacrifice of the martyrs.
As the top leader of the country's major political party, he said if Tarique Rahman visits the graves of the uprising martyrs and offers floral tributes, it means upholding the spirit of the uprising and fulfilling the nation's expectations.
"This is the people's expectation-the nation's expectation-and it should be viewed from that perspective," the BNP leader added.
Tarique Rahman is scheduled to travel by road from Dhaka to Bogura on January 11.
During the visit, he will go to Rangpur to visit the graves of the martyrs of the 2024 student-led mass uprising, including Abu Sayed, who was killed during the July movement.
Replying to a question about internal party issues, Salahuddin said BNP has already taken organisational steps against leaders who are contesting the election in violation of party decisions, while efforts are also underway to persuade them.
"In a large party like ours, many candidates have expectations. Some became disappointed when they did not receive nominations. In the greater interest, for the sake of seat-sharing and to ensure multi-party representation in parliament, we had to deprive many capable candidates," he said.