Dhaka, Aug. 18 -- Four newly appointed members of the BNP's National Standing Committee on Tuesday pledged to work to strengthen Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's hands and help implement the party's election manifesto.

They made the pledge after paying tribute to Shaheed President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the party's longest-serving chairperson, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital on Tuesday morning.

Newly appointed Standing Committee member Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the present government would build the country based on the BNP's political philosophy.

"We are saying this with a little apprehension and joy. We hope that we will try to discharge the responsibility entrusted to us with sincerity....