Standing on the dusty bank of a long-neglected canal in Dinajpur, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman spoke not just about digging waterways but about reshaping the fortunes of millions of ordinary Bangladeshis.
Addressing a large public rally beside the Sahapara Canal in Balarampur village in Kaharol of Dinajpur on Monday, the prime minister laid out what he described as the core political vision of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP): raising the income and living standards of common people.
“If someone earns Tk 5,000 today, we want that income to become Tk 10,000 in the coming years,” he told the gathering. “If someone earns Tk 2,000, we want policies that will help double that income.”
Calling it the political philosophy inherited from his father, Ziaur Rahman, and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, Tarique said his government’s politics is centred on improving the lives of ordinary citizens.
“This is our political goal. This is the politics of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, this is the politics of Khaleda Zia, and this is the politics of the BNP government elected by you,” he said.
A spadeful of soil, a nationwide programme
Earlier in the day, Tarique Rahman formally launched a nationwide programme to excavate and re-excavate rivers, canals and other water bodies by cutting soil with a spade at 12:27pm.
With that symbolic gesture, he inaugurated the excavation of 53 canals across the country, beginning with the 12-kilometre Sahapara Canal in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur.
After the inauguration, the prime minister also planted a sapling on the canal bank, linking the excavation drive with a parallel tree plantation programme.
He said the canal restoration effort is part of a broader strategy to build a stronger Bangladesh where citizens can secure their rights and improve their economic standing.
“Through this canal excavation programme, we want to build a Bangladesh where people can establish their rights and stand strong both economically and politically,” he said.
Development needs people’s participation
Reflecting on Bangladesh’s political history – from the Liberation War to the anti-fascist movement – Tarique stressed that development initiatives cannot succeed without public participation.
“I cannot do this work alone. We need you with us,” he said. “Without your support, it is impossible to carry out this work.”
Describing citizens as the ultimate source of authority in the country, he said, “The people are the source of all power and the real owners of this country.”
He also urged people to remain cautious against attempts to create division or instability.
“Some people try to create confusion with sweet words. We must remain alert against those who want to create unrest,” he said.
Canal revival and agricultural hopes
The Sahapara Canal project is expected to bring significant benefits to agriculture in the region once completed.
According to the prime minister, the canal will provide irrigation to around 31,000 farmers and help irrigate about 1,200 hectares of farmland. Nearly 3,50,000 people are expected to benefit from the improved water supply.
With reliable irrigation, farmers could increase production by as much as 60,000 tonnes annually, he said.
“The farmers of this area will be able to produce about 60,000 tonnes more crops than the current production, InshaAllah,” Tarique told the rally.
The government plans to excavate about 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country over the next five years to improve water management and support agriculture.
Water crisis and environmental concerns
Tarique warned that excessive extraction of groundwater through deep tube wells has caused water tables to fall sharply in many parts of the country.
“Ten years ago, water could be found at a depth of about 50 feet,” he said. “Now in many places people have to go as deep as 300 feet.”
He said restoring rivers and canals will help store excess monsoon rainwater and reduce reliance on underground water.
Alongside the excavation programme, the government also plans to plant around 7,000 trees along the banks of the Sahapara Canal, creating greener surroundings and improving the environment.
Welfare and rural programmes
Highlighting several government initiatives, the prime minister said a “Family Card” programme has already begun as a pilot project, distributing cards among 37,000 women.
The initiative aims to eventually reach about four crore families across Bangladesh.
“We have already started the pilot project,” he said. “Gradually the programme will reach all areas, including Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagarh.”
He also announced plans to introduce a “Farmer Card” to help small, marginal and medium farmers access government benefits.
The government is also exploring the establishment of agro-based industries in the northern region to create employment for local youth.
“After Eid-ul-Fitr we will sit with industrial institutions so that more agro-based mills and industries can be established in this region,” Tarique said.
Several senior leaders joined the rally, including LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Social Welfare Minister AZM Zahid Hossain, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu and State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad.
The rally was presided over by Dinajpur district BNP president Mofazzal Hossain Dulal and conducted by the party’s district general secretary Bakhtiar Ahmed Kachi.
Local lawmakers and party leaders also addressed the gathering as thousands of residents assembled on the canal bank, turning the rural setting into a stage for the government’s development message.
Source: BSS