He said these things on Friday (October 2) noon while inaugurating the 230-meter riverbank protection work on the Karatoya River in the Boalmari Baruni area of Benghari Union in Boda Upazila of Panchagarh.

Highlighting BNP's historic role, the state minister said that in 1971 Ziaur Rahman declared independence and took part in the Liberation War. He claimed that BNP also played a role in the 1990 movement to restore democracy and the 2024 student-people's movement.

He said BNP has ideological differences with various parties, including Jamaat and Islami Andolan. He also remarked that BNP has taken a stand in favor of realizing the country's interests, democracy, sovereignty and people's rights.

Regarding the upcoming local elections, Farhad Hossain Azad said that even though there is no opportunity to participate in the elections party-wise, people of all religions and castes have been called upon to work in favor of their preferred candidates in the interest of the country.

Earlier, the state minister inspected the Karatoya River area, inaugurated the project's nameplate and participated in a discussion meeting. At that time, officials of the Water Development Board, police, leaders and activists of district and upazila BNP, and local people were present.