BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed spoke at a public outreach in Taitong on Wednesday. Photo: BSS

COX'S BAZAR, Dec 3, 2025 (BSS)- BNP standing committee member Salahuddin 
Ahmed today said that Begum Khaleda Zia, BNP chairperson and former prime 
minister, is a symbol of independence, sovereignty and unity in Bangladesh.

"And 'Dhaner Shis' [paddy sheaf] is the symbol of democracy in the country. 
Therefore, to protect the nation and its democracy, people should vote for 
the symbol of 'Paddy Sheaf' in the upcoming election and seek votes for it to 
go 'door to door'," he said.

Salahuddin, also BNP-nominated candidate for Cox's Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) 
constituency, made the remarks at a public outreach in Taitong on Wednesday 
afternoon in his birthplace Pekua Barbakia and Shilkhali Unions for election 
mass coordination. 

He said, "I have had the opportunity to meet you after 12-14 years. For this, 
I am immensely grateful to Allah. It is because of your prayers that Allah 
has kept me alive."

"As you all know, the fascist Sheikh Hasina government abducted me with the 
intention of killing me. It is because Allah has kept me alive and with 
everyone's prayers that I'm able to appear before you today," he added.

Urging prayers for Khaleda Zia's speedy recovery, the senior BNP leader said, 
"Begum Zia is the symbol of unity in the country. I request everyone to pray 
to Allah for our leader's speedy recovery so that she can return to us. 
Similarly, please pray for our leader Tarique Rahman and the rest of us."

Mentioning that Tarique Rahman will lead the country, Insha Allah, he said, 
"I hope that you will be able to freely and independently express your 
opinions and votes in a fair, peaceful, and impartial election in the coming 
days in a beautiful environment. My request is that you all go door to door 
and seek votes for the 'Sheaf of Paddy'."