Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that the upcoming February 12 election is not merely about electing public representatives but about rebuilding the country and restoring democratic rights to the people.
He made the remarks while addressing an election rally held at Thakurgaon Government Boys’ High School ground on Saturday noon, February 7.
Tarique said the last three national elections failed to meet public expectations and stressed that the forthcoming vote presents an opportunity to begin both political renewal and national reconstruction.
Outlining the BNP’s economic plans, he said the party aims to build a self-reliant economy. He announced proposed initiatives including family cards to support women’s economic empowerment and farmer cards to facilitate access to agricultural loans, fertilisers and seeds.
Tarique also pledged that agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000 would be waived if the BNP’s electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy, secures victory.
Calling for public participation, he said rebuilding the country requires collective effort, noting that the people are the ultimate owners of the state. He urged voters to support the BNP to enable the implementation of its plans.
He further promised to reopen closed industrial units, including sugar mills, establish a cadet college in Thakurgaon, build cold storage facilities to help farmers preserve produce and create IT hubs to generate employment opportunities.
Tarique Rahman said that if the BNP forms the government, steps would be taken to resume operations at the local airport at the earliest possible time.
Emphasising social harmony, he said people of all religions would be able to live peacefully and that justice would be ensured based on merit and competence, not religious identity.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who also addressed the rally, said the nation was looking to Tarique Rahman’s leadership at a critical juncture and called for full public support to overcome the country’s challenges.
Tanvir Hasan Tonu/MHK