BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday said his party envisions a Bangladesh free from religious discrimination, where all citizens—Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians—enjoy equal opportunities based on merit and talent.
He made the remarks while addressing an election campaign rally organized by the Thakurgaon district BNP at the Thakurgaon Government Boys’ High School playground in the afternoon.
Tarique emphasized the need to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for working people, entrepreneurs, and women.
“People have sacrificed their lives and endured oppression under previous governments. Their sacrifices will never be in vain,” he said. “This election is not only to choose representatives for the country—it is an election to rebuild our nation.”
The BNP leader said that over the past decade, people in Bangladesh have faced restrictions on political rights and freedom of speech and have fallen behind in accessing economic opportunities.
“Promises to create employment for the country’s youth have not been fulfilled. The contributions of mothers and sisters have not been properly recognized. Farmers have not received the financial support they were entitled to,” he said.
Tarique stressed that the people are the true owners of the country, adding that rebuilding Bangladesh would be impossible without their support and active participation.
Outlining BNP’s vision for a prosperous, humane, and inclusive nation, he said the party’s initiatives would focus on economic growth, employment, and social welfare.
Highlighting the agriculture-based economy of the northern region, Tarique pledged to reduce farmers’ debt through agricultural loan waivers and to construct cold storage facilities in Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, and Dinajpur to preserve agricultural produce.
He also promised to revive closed sugar mills, silk factories, and tea industries to boost local economies and create jobs. In addition, he announced plans to train young people as skilled manpower through technical and agriculture-based programs and to establish an IT park or hub in Thakurgaon to create employment opportunities in the technology sector.
To improve access to healthcare, Tarique proposed deploying healthcare workers in villages to provide primary health services to mothers and children at home.
He further announced plans to establish a medical college, a public university, and a cadet college in the area, and revealed intentions to reopen the long-closed local airport.
During the rally, Tarique said criticizing other political parties would not benefit the people, who are more concerned with concrete development plans. “If you vote for us, we will inaugurate a fully functional airport in Thakurgaon, Inshallah,” he said.
Assuring the public that Thakurgaon Airport would become operational promptly if the BNP comes to power, Tarique sought to reassure voters of the party’s development agenda.
The rally was presided over by Thakurgaon District BNP President Mirza Faisal Amin and featured speeches by senior party leaders and candidates, including BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Thakurgaon-1 candidate; Abdus Salam, Thakurgaon-2; Zahidur Rahman Zahid, Thakurgaon-3; Nowshad Zamir, Panchagarh-1; Farhad Hossain Azad, Panchagarh-2; and Monjurul Islam, Dinajpur-1.
During the event, Tarique Rahman distributed the party’s election symbol, the “Sheaf of Paddy,” to the candidates from Thakurgaon and Panchagarh and urged voters to support them in the upcoming election.