BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday called on party members to intensify their efforts to win public support in the upcoming election, saying that ensuring the victory of the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ is essential to protect the country and promote its progress through the party’s well-planned programmes.
“In the upcoming election, we seek the people’s verdict and support. This is not the time to sit idle. You must join the battle — a battle for the people, a battle for the nation, for the good of the country,” he said while speaking virtually at the closing session of the fourth day of BNP’s ‘Plan to Build the Country’ programme.
The BNP leader also urged his colleagues to use their time wisely by planning and working to ensure the party’s victory.
“We must ensure the victory of the Sheaf of Paddy, as there is no alternative. By winning with the Sheaf of Paddy, we can implement the plans made for the people… We must save the country by winning. Bangladesh comes first. No compromise,” he said.
Tarique also warned that the country’s existence would be at risk if BNP is not voted to power. “If we do not wake up, if we do not take the field in this fight, the country will be ruined. Every time, your party has saved this country. If you look back at history, you will see that your party has always protected the nation.”
He said whenever Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia were given the responsibility to lead the country, they rescued it from danger.
“Now that responsibility of Shaheed Zia and Khaleda Zia has come to your shoulders. You must protect this country. Everyone must stand up. You must leave your homes, reach out to the people, go to every corner of the country. Only then will we succeed,” the BNP leader said.
Tarique said BNP has plans to rebuild the country, but these plans must now be put into action. “Many plans were made in Bangladesh in the past, but they remained just plans. We want to turn our plans into reality for the people’s benefit.”
He also said BNP will start the work, and the next generation will continue it so that the country’s healthcare, education, and employment systems keep improving. “To start this work, we must take the people with us. We must convince them and show that we can do this difficult task — and we will do it.”
The BNP leader said people are tired of constant political arguments on TV and in newspapers. “Now they want clear solutions to their problems. The public expects political parties to explain what they will actually do if given the chance.”
He said BNP is the only party that has presented a clear plan to improve roads, healthcare, education, and employment.
Tarique urged party leaders and supporters to share this plan with people in every area so they understand how BNP wants to move Bangladesh forward. “We cannot just talk as we must act and work together to spread BNP’s message and win the people’s trust.”
In the past, he said many infrastructure projects were built in the name of development, but they were not used properly. “Some so-called IT parks now stand empty, while others are used for social events instead of their real purpose.”
Tarique said BNP will not take up unnecessary mega projects because “mega projects mean mega corruption.”
“One of our main goals is that we will not go for any mega projects. We have seen that mega projects mean mega corruption. We must control corruption. We will spend the state’s money — the people’s money — on education, healthcare, and human development,” he said.
Tarique outlined BNP’s plans for youth, education, and national development, saying the party aims to provide young people with better training, affordable internet, and small workspaces to encourage IT and online entrepreneurship.
He also highlighted environmental and agricultural initiatives, including dredging rivers and canals and planting 250 million trees over the next five years to protect the environment and support sustainable development.
During the rule of the previous fascist Awami League government, the BNP Acting Chairman said human rights were violated in the worst ways.
He said BNP does not want human rights to be violated ever again. “Every citizen has the right to express their views safely. BNP’s responsibility as a major political party is to ensure that people with different opinions can speak freely without fear.”
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Stating that many Bangladeshi entrepreneurs are already exporting products abroad, the BNP leaders said if the government properly supports agriculture, farmers will get fair prices, and entrepreneurs will be encouraged to invest more. “This will increase exports, bring foreign currency, and create jobs in mills and factories. So, everyone in villages and cities will benefit.”
The party earlier announced the six-day workshop on 27 November involving Chhatra Dal, Krishak Dal, Ulema Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and other front organisations to prepare them for campaigning before the polls.
The fourth day of the programme was inaugurated by BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas in the morning at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Dhaka’s Farmgate, with BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi in the chair.
Leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal and Krishak Dal joined Wednesday’s event at the KIB auditorium in Farmgate.
