BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed has said that their party’s acting Chairman has instructed them to make every possible effort to maintain national unity in order to resist the rise of fascist forces in the country.

He made the comments while speaking to reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after his return from London on Sunday.

In response to a question about the message Tarique Rahman sent through him, Salahuddin said, “Our acting Chairman has instructed us to make every effort to keep the nation united, as otherwise, we understand that fascist forces and their associates could be emboldened.”

He said the nation has already witnessed such activities by fascist forces.

“I believe our ultimate challenge should be to foster the anti-fascist unity that has developed in Bangladesh as a political culture. Otherwise, fascism could rear its ugly head again,” the BNP leader warned.

When asked about Tarique’s possible return, he said they had not yet been able to create the necessary environment for his return. “It will take some more time, but he will definitely return home,” Salahuddin said.

Salahuddin, a BNP Standing Committee member, returned to Dhaka on Sunday after a two-week visit to London.

He arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight at 12:50 pm, according to BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.

During his stay in London, Salahuddin met party acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to discuss political matters. 

Besides, Sayrul said, Salahuddin spent some time with his daughter, who resides in London.

Salahuddin had left Dhaka for London on December 20.