BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said the foundations of democracy must be strengthened gradually, starting from the local level. Speaking virtually at the DAB conference, he noted that almost all current reform proposals had already been presented in BNP’s 31-point plan two years ago. Since the BNP is leading in popularity ahead of the upcoming election, he said the party aims to establish a transparent, accountable democracy. At the same event, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir reiterated the need to end the culture of political hostility.