BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged people across the country to cast their votes for his party’s election symbol, the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’, on February 12 to give a befitting reply to autocracy.

“If people respond by stamping the Sheaf of Paddy on ballot papers, the autocrats who had taken away your rights will get a clear answer,” he told an election rally.

The BNP chief said people protested over the last 16 or 17 years against injustice and against the taking away of their rights by the autocratic regime. “If those rights are to be restored, all of you must be vocal on February 12.”

Speaking about BNP’s political philosophy, Tarique said the party believes in peaceful coexistence among people of all religions.

“To us, the most important identity is being a citizen of Bangladesh. Religion or caste is not our priority. People matter most to us,” he said.

Tarique said BNP wants to value people as human beings and believes that only a people-backed government can solve the real problems of the country.

The rally began at 3:00pm with recitation from the Holy Quran at the BSCIC Industrial Park in Sirajganj district.

Tarique Rahman reached Sirajganj by road from Bogura around 3:30pm.

During the rally, he introduced BNP candidates from Sirajganj and Pabna districts and urged voters to support them by voting for the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’.

Seeking cooperation in rebuilding the country, Tarique said there is a lot of work to be done in Sirajganj and Pabna to change the lives of local people and develop the region.

“We protested and struggled. Many leaders, activists and ordinary people sacrificed their lives to bring down autocracy. Now we must build the country together,” he said.

The BNP chief also promised to address unemployment by setting up new industrial parks across the country, including in the northern region.

He also promised to develop agriculture-based industries, revive the handloom sector, create international markets for handloom products, and establish vocational institutes in the region.

Tarique said BNP will support women and farmers through family cards and farmers’ cards if the party comes to power.

The rally was presided over by district BNP President Rumana Mahmud and conducted by General Secretary Saidur Rahman Bachchu.

Tarique Rahman pays tribute at martyr Abu Sayed’s grave in Rangpur

BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, central leaders and candidates from Sirajganj and Pabna also spoke at the programme.

As part of his three-day election campaign in the northern region, Tarique addressed election rallies in Rajshahi, Naogaon, Bogura, Rangpur and Sirajganj.

He is also scheduled to attend an election rally in Tangail in the evening before returning to his Gulshan residence.