BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday unveiled an agriculture-focused development vision for Dinajpur, promising to take the district’s world-famous litchi and Katari Bhog rice to international markets through processing and export if BNP comes to power.
Addressing an election rally at the Birampur Government College grounds in the afternoon, Tarique Rahman said Dinajpur has long been known across Bengal as an agriculture-based region, but its potential has not been properly utilised. “We want to gradually develop agro-based industries here. Through processing, Dinajpur’s famous litchi can be exported abroad,” he said.
Highlighting Katari Bhog rice, another signature produce of the region, the BNP chairman said his party wants to ensure its access to global markets. “This rice is well known for its quality. We want to deliver it to all corners of the world,” he said, announcing plans to establish a litchi processing factory and other agro-based industrial facilities in the district.
Tarique Rahman said expanding agro-based industries would help farmers secure fair prices for their produce, create jobs for unemployed youth and earn valuable foreign exchange for the country. “Improving the lives of Dinajpur’s farmers is possible through agriculture-based industries and exports,” he added.
Beyond factories, he emphasised the need for skills development, saying many educated youths in the region remain unemployed. “We will set up a vocational training institute to train them. Foreign languages will also be taught so that they can earn both at home and abroad,” he said.
Referring to BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman recalled that free education for women up to the HSC level was introduced nationwide during her tenure. “Just as women received free education, we want to give them family cards so they can gradually become self-reliant,” he said.
The BNP chairman described Dinajpur as emotionally close to his heart, saying he shares a “soul connection” with the people of the district. “By the grace of Allah, I have come to my grandmother’s home after many years. This is my grandmother’s house, and I feel deeply connected to the people here,” he told the rally.
As part of his election campaign, Tarique Rahman is touring three northern districts –Thakurgaon, Nilphamari and Dinajpur – on Saturday. He arrived at the Birampur College grounds at 3:15pm and began his speech at 3:38pm, seeking votes for BNP’s electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy.
The rally was presided over by District BNP President Advocate Mofazzal Hossain Dulal. Among others, District BNP Senior Vice President Md Mokarram Hossain, Vice President Khalequzzaman Babu, Dinajpur-3 candidate Syed Jahangir Hossain, Dinajpur-4 candidate Akhtaruzzaman Mia, Dinajpur-5 candidate Barrister Kamruzzaman and Dinajpur-6 candidate Dr AZM Zahid Hossain also addressed the programme.