BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has underscored the need for finding out honest and meritorious people to rebuild the country, upholding the spirit of the July-August mass upsurge.

He also blamed the ousted autocrat Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government for pushing the country backwards and assured that he would duly recognise those who became victims of the repressive acts of the previous regime.

The BNP leader said this while inaugurating his party’s primary membership renewal drive from London on Monday.       

“We want to strengthen our party first through the membership renewal drive, and then will lend our hands to rebuild the country with honest and skilled people,” he said.

Tarique Rahman also renewed his primary membership and asked his party’s rank and file to trace out the honest, laborious and talented people to make the efforts successful.

Claiming that rebuilding the country will remain elusive unless his party is strengthened, Tarique said the BNP wants to play a key role in rebuilding the country imbued with the desire of the July-August protesters.

The BNP has set a target of renewing at least 41 lakh members this year to take both the party and the country forward, he said.