United News of Bangladesh

In an oblique reference to his party’s poor electoral performance in the region, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said his government wants to serve all citizens, regardless of whether they voted for the BNP, and ensure balanced development across all areas. “The people of this country elected the current government. Our candidates may have been elected in some areas but not in others. But, the current government wants to be a government for everyone. We want to be the government of those who voted for us, as well as those who did not,” he said. Tarique said while exchanging greetings with members of the Hindu community at the historic Radha Gobinda Dharmasabha Temple in Rangpur on Maha Navami, the ninth day of the Sharadiya festival. He said the government wants to ensure equitable development across the country, taking into account the country's economic condition and distributing resources fairly among different regions. “We want to work for all areas and all people,” Tarique said adding that, Tk 1,800 crore was allocated for the development of Rangpur city at an ECNEC meeting about two weeks ago. He said the government would also gradually develop necessary infrastructure, including bridges, culverts, schools and colleges, in different upazilas, unions and villages of Rangpur district through local government institutions and the district council. “But to carry out this work, we must all work together. We must put aside our differences and move forward hand in hand,” the prime minister said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday called on people of all faiths to work together to build their desired Bangladesh, saying the country belongs to Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians alike. “Just as people of all religions united to free the country in 1971, we want to build Bangladesh together, with people of all faiths,” he said while addressing a roadside rally at Paglapir point on his way to Rangpur to visit a Durga Puja mandap on Maha Navami. “From today, let us pledge that this country belongs to all of us — Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians. We will all work hard together to build the country into the Bangladesh we aspire to see,” the Prime Minister said. Tarique said people had entrusted the BNP with the responsibility of running the country following the February 12 Parliamentary election. Since taking office, the government has been trying to stand beside people from all walks of life, he said. As part of those efforts, the government has waived agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000 for farmers, introduced the Family Card and the Farmers’ Card programme, he said. The government has also introduced monthly allowances for imams, muezzins and religious leaders of other faiths, Tarique added.