Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday announced that a new administrative division would be formed in the name of Cumilla.

He made the announcement at a roadside rally at Lakshmipur Bazar in Barura upazila amid repeated slogans from party leaders and activists demanding Cumilla Division.

“If a division named ‘Cumilla’ is the demand of the people of this region, Insha’Allah, it will be implemented. A BNP government will fulfil all public demands gradually,” Tarique said.

He said also said the government would discuss with the education ministry soon the issue of establishing an agricultural university in Cumilla.

Agriculture Minister Amin Ur Rashid Yasin raised the demands for Cumilla Division and an agricultural university on behalf of the people of the district during the rally.

Party leaders and activists welcomed the proposals with loud applause.

Housing and Public Works Minister and local MP Zakaria Taher Sumon also demanded upgrading the district hospital from 150 beds to 250-300 beds, alongside the formation of the proposed division.

The Prime Minister addressed the rally while travelling to Chandpur on a day-long visit to attend several programmes.

Recalling his earlier commitment to Barura, Tarique said he had promised during the 2001 election campaign to support the area’s development just as he did for his home district Bogura.

“We kept that promise. Many roads, schools, colleges, bridges and culverts were built here for the convenience of local people,” he said.

The Prime Minister also referred to the government’s decision to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including interest, as promised before the election.

“Within the first 10 days of forming the government, we fulfilled that promise. Around 1.2 million farmers benefited as both their loans and interests were waived,” he said.

 Tarique, also the chairman of ruling BNP,  said his party always works to implement the commitments it makes to the people after coming to power.

Referring to the February 12 election, the Prime Minister said people elected BNP to power as the rightful owners of the state.

He said the government has already started implementing several election pledges, including canal excavation, distribution of family cards and farmer cards, and allowances for imams and priests.

The Prime Minister said the remaining promises would also be implemented gradually and urged people to remain patient.

Calling for united efforts to rebuild the country, Tarique Rahman said everyone must work from their respective positions to make people self-reliant and build the country with united efforts.

“The people are the owners of the country. When the owners take responsibility, the country moves forward,” he said.

Criticising the previous Awami Legue regime, the Prime Minister alleged that it oppressed people, carried out enforced disappearances and killings, and laundered public wealth abroad during its 17-year rule.

“As a result, the country is now under economic pressure. That is why we all have to work hard and remain patient. Insha’Allah, we will gradually fulfil the demands and expectations of  people,” he said.

The Prime Minister  reiterated that people’s support is BNP’s real source of strength. “If the people continue to support BNP, we will move the country forward. Let us pledge — we will work, and Bangladesh will come first.”

The rally was chaired by Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher and attended by several ministers, lawmakers and local BNP leaders.

The Prime Minister arrived at the rally venue around 1:20 pm. As he stepped onto the stage, leaders and activists welcomed him with loud applause and cheers.

Party leaders, activists and supporters started gathering at Lakshmipur Bazar ground from around 9am in small processions carrying banners and festoons.

By 10:30am, the roadside rally turned into a large gathering with the presence of thousands of leaders and activists.

Earlier in the morning, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman left Dhaka for Chandpur by road from his Gulshan residence at around 8:45am.

During the Chandpur visit, he inaugurated the re-excavation work of two canals, addressed  a public rally at Chandpur Government College ground.

He is scheduled to distribute Family Cards and attend an organisational meeting with local BNP leaders and activists.

This is Tarique Rahman’s first visit to Chandpur as Prime Minister and his first trip to the district in 22 years. He last visited Chandpur in 2004 when he served as Senior Joint Secretary General of BNP.