Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday accused unnamed political parties of trying to create “anarchy” by exploiting incidents across the country, warning that political instability would ultimately derail development and welfare programs and hurt ordinary people.
Speaking during his first visit to Feni since taking office, Tarique linked his political warning to a series of government initiatives, including Family and Farmer cards, river excavation, expansion of upazila hospitals and efforts to reopen closed industries, and urged people to remain alert to what he described as attempts to obstruct the country’s democratic process.
The prime minister made the remarks after inaugurating the first phase of the Tk1,542.16-crore Muhuri-Kahua Flood Control, Drainage and Irrigation Rehabilitation Project at Ghatghar near the Muhuri Bridge in Parshuram.
Without initially naming any party, Tarique said some political groups were capitalising on “untoward incidents” to create disorder.
He later alluded to Jamaat-e-Islami, accusing its leaders of becoming “arrogant” after winning several seats in the February 12 election and invoking the party’s role during the 1971 Liberation War.
“Leaders of a certain political party are lecturing us. I would tell them to look at their own house first,” Tarique said, before referring to allegations of violence against women and a killing involving members or leaders of the party.
The allegations were not independently substantiated in the material provided. Tarique himself said an investigation into one of the incidents was underway.
He said the government was pursuing programs ranging from Family and Farmer cards to canal excavation and expansion of healthcare, arguing that disorder would jeopardise their implementation.
“If this work is disrupted, who will suffer?” he asked. “It will be the people of this country.”
Tk1,542cr project launched
The political message came as Tarique used the daylong visit to showcase several development and social-protection initiatives in Feni, including one of the district’s largest flood-management projects.
Braving rain, he unveiled a plaque and formally launched the Muhuri-Kahua project by starting a dredger at around 2:30pm.
Approved by Ecnec on June 16, the project involves rehabilitation of 67.92 kilometres of embankments, protection of 11.73 kilometres of riverbanks, re-excavation of 83.50 kilometres of rivers and reservoirs, rehabilitation of 27 irrigation structures and construction of 77 inlets.
It is scheduled for completion by 2030.
The infrastructure was badly affected by the devastating 2024 floods, while residents of Parshuram and Fulgazi have long faced river erosion, damaged embankments, waterlogging and inadequate drainage.
Tarique said the project was part of fulfilling an election pledge and would directly benefit around 400,000 to 450,000 people.
According to the prime minister, around 34,000 hectares of farmland would receive irrigation facilities and crop production could increase by nearly 100,000 tons after implementation.
He said increased agricultural production would help farmers earn more while contributing to efforts to keep food prices within consumers’ purchasing power.
Campaign pledges to government programs
Tarique also highlighted measures his government has taken since assuming office, presenting them as fulfilment of election commitments.
He referred to the waiver of agricultural loans of up to Tk10,000 for small farmers.
The prime minister also highlighted the Family Card program, saying the government intended eventually to provide the benefit to mothers in eligible families across rural and urban Bangladesh.
The program was formally launched nationally in March, initially reaching 37,567 women, and the government has since been working on its phased expansion.
During yesterday’s Feni visit, Tarique attended a program involving Family and Farmer cards as well as honorariums for people serving at religious institutions.
150-bed upazila hospitals
Healthcare also featured prominently in the prime minister’s speech.
Tarique said his government planned to upgrade upazila-level hospitals from 50 to 150 beds over the next five years, with expanded services including dialysis and maternal and child healthcare.
His Feni visit also included a tree-planting program at Begum Khaleda Zia Women’s College in Fulgazi and the inauguration of electricity supply to the national grid from rooftop solar systems installed on government buildings.
The solar installations across Fulgazi, Parshuram and Chhagalnaiya have a combined capacity of around 962 kilowatts.
Thousands of people gathered along the Muhuri River and roads in Parshuram to see the prime minister during the visit.
Feni carries particular political and family significance for Tarique. His maternal grandfather, Eskandar Majumder, hailed from Fulgazi, while his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, was elected to Parliament several times from Feni-1.