BNP National Standing Committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain on Saturday warned that any attempt by a political party to monopolize the achievements of the July Uprising would fail, saying the movement was a collective effort of people from all walks of life.

“The July Uprising was not the achievement of any single party. BNP leaders and activists played an active role at every level, but people from all classes and professions also participated,” he said.

Dr Zahid made the remarks while speaking at a winter clothes distribution programme for poor and orphaned students, organised by the Hakimpur Upazila, Dinajpur and Municipality BNP units at noon.

“If anyone tries to claim sole credit for the uprising, it will not succeed. The people of the country stand with those who fought together,” he added.

He said the mass uprising led to the fall of the dictatorship, which fled the country on “the 36th of July (August 5)”, describing it as a victory for all.

“People from all classes, professions, political leaders and activists joined this movement. We respect and salute everyone who played their due role. It was everyone’s movement and everyone’s victory,” he said.

Referring to accountability, Dr Zahid said those responsible for disappearances, killings and other brutal acts during the ousted regime would be brought to justice. He also stressed that those who misappropriated public funds must return the money for the country’s development.

The programme was chaired by Hakimpur Upazila BNP President Ferdous Rahman.

District BNP President Advocate Md Mofazzal Hossain Dulal, Adviser Akram Hossain, Upazila BNP General Secretary Sakhawat Hossain Shilpi, Municipality BNP President Md Farid Khan and General Secretary Nazmul Haque were also present.