BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday asked his party leaders and activists to stay away from any negative or controversial activities that could damage public confidence, as the next general election would be a "very tough" challenge for the party.

"Let's vow to avoid doing anything that would harm public confidence [in BNP]," he told the party leaders and activists at a workshop in Chattogram.

The Chattorgam divisional workshop titled "31-point state structure reform proposal and the public engagement" was organised by BNP training affairs committee at the Institute of Engineers, Chattogram. Tarique joined the event virtually from London.

The BNP acting chairman cautioned that anyone thinking that the party could easily win the next election because their main political rivals are weak should dismiss that thought.

Tarique said the next general polls will be very challenging for BNP as many conspiracies are afoot and many invisible forces are working against the party.

He reminded the party's leaders and activists about the oppression they had faced for the past 15-16 years. "Please don't spoil our achievements and sacrifices with small mistakes. We should be careful so our achievements and sacrifices are not foiled."

He said the BNP will not be able to woo voters in the next parliamentary polls if it fails to maintain the existing public trust in the party. "It is your responsibility, not the people's, to retain this confidence.

"You will have to uphold this confidence until the polls are held. Once you win the election, you will have to work on implementing the 31-point reform proposal," said Tarique.

The BNP leader asked his party leaders and activists to take its 31-point reform proposal to the doors of people and to drum up support for it.