BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday accused unnamed groups of plotting to disrupt the upcoming national election, warning that any attempt to halt the polls would face a “befitting reply” from his party and supporters.
Speaking before a large crowd at Nilphamari Bara Maidan, he framed the vote as a decisive moment not only for political change but for what he described as rebuilding the country’s institutions and economy.
Addressing party activists and local residents, Tarique said the growing visibility of the party’s electoral symbol, the paddy ear, had triggered “panic” among rivals.
According to him, certain quarters were now engaged in conspiracies to block the electoral process. Without naming specific actors, he urged supporters to remain vigilant while maintaining momentum on the campaign trail.
He presented the election as a broader national turning point. “This is not just about choosing representatives,” he told the rally. “It is an election to restore people’s lost rights and move the country forward.”
His speech blended political messaging with a series of regional development promises aimed at northern districts, including Thakurgaon, Nilphamari, Dinajpur and Panchagarh.
A significant portion of his remarks focused on economic transformation in the region. Tarique pledged to develop Nilphamari into an agricultural hub while also promoting industry to generate employment. He said that if BNP forms the next government after the polls scheduled for the 12th, key priorities would include implementing the long-discussed Teesta Master Plan, rapidly expanding medical college and university infrastructure, and upgrading Syedpur Airport into an international facility.
The BNP leader criticised what he called “16 years of dictatorship,” alleging that previous administrations prioritised their own interests over public welfare. He promised a government that would seek legitimacy through popular support and work toward making Bangladesh self-sufficient in food production.
Women and youth were also central themes in his campaign address. Tarique announced plans to establish training centres aimed at increasing women’s participation in the workforce, arguing that economic progress would be impossible without their involvement. Referring to past BNP policies, he credited former prime minister Khaleda Zia with advancing free education initiatives for girls and said the party intended to expand programmes that promote women’s financial independence.
Among the social welfare pledges highlighted at the rally were proposals to introduce family cards for women and agricultural cards for farmers to simplify access to loans. He also promised to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk10,000 and repay certain small NGO loans on behalf of borrowers, proposals that drew applause from sections of the crowd.
Tarique emphasised that the northern region’s economy remains heavily dependent on agriculture and said BNP would prioritise agro-based industries to create jobs locally. Training programmes for young people to develop technical skills were also mentioned as part of a broader plan to reduce unemployment.
The rally, presided over by District BNP convener Mir Selim Faruk and moderated by district member secretary SM Saifullah Rubel, was part of the party’s intensified electioneering campaign ahead of the national vote. Party leaders portrayed the event as a show of organisational strength in a region considered strategically important for BNP’s electoral prospects.