United News of Bangladesh

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday urged the country’s people to actively contribute to rebuilding the nation by taking initiatives from their respective positions. “Let us all, from whatever position we are in, try to rebuild our country anew. Let each of us make our best effort for the country, within our own capacity,” he said. Tarique made the call while addressing thousands of party leaders, activists and supporters from the second-floor balcony of the BNP central office at Nayapaltan in the afternoon, shortly after arriving there, marking his first visit after 19 years. Tarique to visit BNP’s Nayapaltan central office today He also said that if anyone sees a piece of paper or any litter lying on the road, they should remove it. “By doing such small acts, let us come together to build our country step by step.” Greeting the gathering, Tarique also requested party leaders and activists to clear the road quickly so that ordinary people can move freely. “I request everyone to leave the road as soon as possible. There is no programme here today, and keeping the road blocked will cause inconvenience to the public. Since there is no programme, we should leave this place as soon as possible. Inshallah, when we hold a programme, I will speak in front of you all,” he said. Tarique also urged all to pray for him and for BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. “Please pray for our leader Begum Khaleda Zia. Stay well,” he said. Tarique arrived at the BNP central office at around 4:05pm. Security personnel had to struggle to bring his vehicle to the office gate amid a huge crowd of party leaders and activists. After greeting the crowd, he went to his newly prepared chamber on the second floor of the building. This is the first time in 19 years that he has resumed office activities at Nayapaltan. He last visited the party office in 2006. Ahead of the visit, security was tightened in and around the Nayapaltan office. The main gate of the office was closed from 12:35pm on Monday, while only some senior BNP leaders were allowed to enter the office. Earlier on Sunday, he visited the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office and stayed there for nearly nine hours. Tarique returned home from London on December 25 after nearly 17 years. He went to London with his family on September 11, 2008, for advanced medical treatment and later settled there.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said urged the young generation to come forward with courage and integrity, avoiding the path of revenge and hostility, to harness the country’s future potential for prosperity. “If you move forward with courage and honesty, avoiding revenge and rivalry, I believe that all doors of potential are open for the prosperity of future Bangladesh,” he said pointing at the members of the young generation, while addressing a discussion in Dhaka through a virtual platform. In this context, he said the only determinant of Bangladesh’s success and prosperity can be its population. Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Swechchasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal jointly organised the discussion titled 'Future Bangladesh: Expectations of Youth Society and BNP's Plans' at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre on the occasion of International Youth Day. Tarique Rahman said people now want a shift from the traditional politics. “People's aspirations - the aspirations that almost all political parties have spoken about more or less - are not fulfilled by only promises, but rather by the implementation of the promises, which BNP believes in,” he said. The BNP leader said this is why he presented his party’s sector-wise plans and they are now preparing strategies to ensure the implementation of the plans. The BNP acting chairman called upon the country’s youths to present BNP’s people-oriented plans to all the masses. “If the people give BNP the opportunity to govern the state, Inshallah, we will gradually implement these plans in the days ahead,” Tarique said. He also sought votes for the Sheaf of Paddy (BNP’s electoral symbol) from the country’s people of all walks of life, including youths.  Establishing people’s rule now main challenge: Tarique Rahman Tarique also pledged that if BNP wins the public mandate to form a government through the election, it will run the country in unity and harmony. “The interim government and the Election Commission have announced that, InshAllah, the national election will be held next February in a Bangladesh free from fascism after one and a half decades of authoritarian rule. I call on all men, women, students, youth and people from all walks of life to vote for the paddy sheaf in the coming election and give us the chance to build the country,” he said. The BNP leader said he asked for the support of everyone who spoke at the event, as well as party leaders, activists and journalists, to deliver one simple message to the people of the country: “If you vote for the paddy sheaf, we will build the country together.” Outlining his party’s plans to develop a youth community based on reason and logic, Tarique said BNP’s politics focuses on creating employment in the coming days, with the main goal of providing jobs for the unemployed. “When more than half of a country’s total population is of working age, it is called a demographic dividend. With this in mind, our current population can become the main driver of development, as most of our people are of working age. We just need to turn this population into a productive workforce,” he said. Tarique also said BNP believes if the country’s population, especially the youth, are given technical education and skills, it will become a blessing for the nation. He said they also have a plan to train young people interested in sports. “Alongside technology skills, some young people want to develop themselves in sports, and we must give them that opportunity.” The BNP leader said they plan to restart ‘Notun Kuri’ in the near future if voted to power. “We will add a new subject to it that will include sports. This means we will identify those among our country’s future generations who show talent in sports alongside cultural life. For this reason, we can include sports education in the curriculum to help establish these games as a profession.” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Publicity Secretary Sultan Salauddin Tuku, BNP student affair secretary Rakibul Islam Bakul, Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna,  Swechchasebak Dal general secretary Rajib Ahsan, JCD president Rakibul Islam Rakib, Chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Junaid Saki, NDM Chairman Bobby Hajjaj, Playwright and July worrier Mabrur Rashid Bannah, Dhaka University’s visually impaired student Md Tafsar Ullah, journalists Mukatadir Rashid Romeo and Shariful Islam Khan, among others, spoke at the event presided over by Swechchasebak Dal president SM Jillani.