United News of Bangladesh

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman urged voters to back the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ in the February-12 election to ensure much-sought  good governance and warned them against vote robbery as he hit the campaign trail in Sylhet city on Thursday. “Seeking votes for the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ on the 12th February, I want to say one thing, if, Inshallah, a BNP government is formed in the coming days, we will run the country on the basis of justice, following the example of the Holy Prophet (pbuh),” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while addressing the first election rally at Alia Madrasa field in Sylhet city where thousands of party supporters gathered ahead of the 13th national election. Tarique alleged that attempts are underway to manipulate votes from abroad through the misuse of postal ballots. “You have seen in newspapers and on social media how postal ballots sent to various countries, including the Middle East, have been taken away.” He said the Awami League fled the country on 5 August 2024 after indulging in vote robbery, and that the same plots have now begun again. Stating that people have already seen signs of a conspiracy to steal votes, the BNP Chairman said, “We must remain alert against such plots. They are conspiring from abroad.” The BNP chairman also referred to the sacrifices made during the anti-government movement and the student-led July mass uprising, for restoring democracy and voting rights. He also recalled party leaders and activists who were killed or subjected to enforced disappearance during the long struggle against the Sheikh Hasina regime. Tarique named missing Sylhet BNP leader M Ilias Ali and said 13 people were killed in Sylhet during the 2024 mass uprising. “Through the sacrifices of these lives, as we set out on the path to reclaim our rights, conspirators have already begun plotting.” Sylhet sets the stage as Tarique ready to launch BNP’s election campaign On 5 August 2024, he said the people of Bangladesh proved that a united nation can defeat any conspiracy. “Will you resist again if needed?” he asked the crowd, which responded with chants. Tarique said that elected on 12 January, a BNP-led government will run the country on the basis of justice and fairness. He also outlined several proposed programmes, including family cards for women, farmer cards, health support schemes, employment initiatives for youth, dredging canals and reforms in education and healthcare. “We have freed the country from autocracy and started the journey to restore democracy. That journey will begin in full once you elect the sheaf of paddy on 12 January,” Tarique said. Tarique said his party wants to stand by farmers across Bangladesh and would restart canal excavation programmes to improve irrigation and water management if BNP wins the election. He said the canal excavation drive during Ziaur Rahman’s tenure helped address irrigation needs for farmers and eased water shortages and pledged to revive the programme to bring water back to canals, wetlands and rivers. Tarique also accused the previous government of looting public money in the name of development over the past 15–16 years. “You surely remember how a few years ago water was released from over there and the entire Sylhet city went under floodwater. And how, over the last 15 to 16 years, this country was mortgaged to another country. That is why I said “Not Delhi, not Pindi, not any other country—Bangladesh comes first.” He said the ‘Take Back Bangladesh’ campaign is not only about protecting democracy but also about wider commitments, including canal dredging, standing by farmers, empowering women and creating jobs. Tarique Rahman promises family cards for four crore households The rally began shortly before midday. Tarique took to the stage at 12:28pm and spoke for about 23 minutes. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, along with leaders from Sylhet and Sunamganj, also addressed the gathering.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman visited the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hazrat Shah Paran (RA) in Sylhet on Wednesday night. The BNP chairman arrived at the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) at around 8:45pm.  Later, at about 9:05pm, he offered two rakats of Nafl prayers beside the shrine, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. At around 9:30pm, he visited the grave of late General (retd) MAG Osmani, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Bangladesh Army, where he offered Fateha and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul. Islami Oikya Jote Chairman MA Rakib led the munajat.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday evening. A BNP Standing Committee member and a source at the Chief Adviser’s Office said that the meeting will be held in the evening at the Chief Adviser’s official residence Jamuna. They said Tarique will be accompanied by several BNP Standing Committee members and they are expected to discuss issues relating to the election atmosphere. This will be the second formal meeting between the Chief Adviser and the BNP Chairman. Tarique and Prof Yunus previously held their first one-to-one meeting in London on 13 June last year, when Tarique was serving as the party’s acting chairman. Following that meeting at the Dorchester Hotel, both sides issued a joint statement. After spending 17 years in exile in the United Kingdom, Tarique returned home on December 25. Upon landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, he spoke to Prof Yunus over the phone from the VIP lounge and thanked him for the interim government’s initiatives to ensure the security of him and his family members. The two briefly met again on December 31 during the namaz-e-janaza of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on the Parliament premises. But Thursday’s meeting will mark their first formal talks since Tarique’s return. Indian envoy meets Tarique Rahman BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia passed away on December 30. As per the schedule announced by the Election Commission, the 13th National Parliamentary Election will be held on February 12.  A referendum on reforms and implementation of the July National Charter will also be held the same day.

‘A dreadful force’ is working with the government from behind the scene to silence those who are opposing the government, alleged BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday.