BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday welcomed the move by the students, who led the July uprising, to form a political party, but warned that people would be disappointed if the party was seen enjoying support from the current administration.

The National Teacher-Employees Unity Council organised the programme titled "Jatiya Shikkhak Dibos and Shikkhak Samabesh" at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking the 89th birth anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, which was on January 19.

"If any of these young people, [long] deprived of democratic and political rights, form a new political party to establish the rights of the people, BNP certainly welcomes the initiative. But if anyone seeks help from the state and administrative support to form a political party, it will disappoint the people," the BNP leader said.

He also said that if the behaviour, comments, or statements of those intending to form a new party are antagonistic and vindictive towards other political parties, that would also be undesirable to the people.

"Of course, today's youth are the future of Bangladesh. The youth will create a new path by coming out of the past, but not in a questionable way."

He also considered unnecessary arguments between the interim government and the pro-democracy forces of Bangladesh as a waste of time.

"But at the same time, I want to draw the attention of the government and say that if the people can patiently accept its failures in various areas, it is important for those in the government to have much more patience and tolerance."

As BNP pursues politics for the welfare of the people, he said their party aims to ensure the people's political and economic power.

"Election is one of the main effective tools to ensure the political power of the people. Creating controversy over the election arrangement means unwittingly strengthening the position of fugitive and defeated fascist forces," Tarique warned.