BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman on Sunday pledged to transform Dhaka into a safe and liveable city if his party comes to power, promising to improve urban safety, expand civic facilities, and address long-standing problems in the capital.
Addressing an election street rally, he said a BNP government would build at least 40 playgrounds across the city, upgrade roads, and ensure a safer environment for residents.
Tarique Rahman formally launched his Dhaka campaign at 3:30pm through a street rally at ECB Square in Mirpur, which falls under his constituency, Dhaka-17.
“If BNP forms the government through the people’s vote, Dhaka will become a city where everyone—regardless of gender—can move freely and safely at any time,” he said. “The environment for business, employment, and living will be secure and comfortable.”
Highlighting the shortage of playgrounds, he said many areas of Dhaka lack adequate spaces for children to play.
“To address this, a BNP government will construct at least 40 playgrounds across the city, not just in selected areas. These spaces will allow children to play, and women and the elderly to walk and spend their leisure time,” he added.
Introducing himself as the BNP candidate for Dhaka-17 with the party’s electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy, Tarique Rahman said he was seeking voters’ support as a local resident.
“I am your candidate from Dhaka-17, the sheaf of paddy candidate. I am a son of this area. As someone from this locality, I am asking for your votes in favour of the sheaf of paddy,” he said, appealing to voters to help ensure his victory.
He also pledged to construct and upgrade the road from ECB Square to the Jasim Uddin area.
On the same day, Tarique Rahman addressed a series of street rallies in several constituencies of the capital. At a rally in Pallabi under Dhaka-16, he assured residents that issues such as waterlogging and the shortage of hospitals would be addressed.
At rallies in Dhaka-15, 14, 13, and 11, he outlined plans to expand civic services and implement development initiatives.
Calling on voters to ensure the victory of the sheaf of paddy on February 12, Tarique Rahman said the election must go beyond choosing representatives.
“On the 12th, it will not be enough for people to simply elect their representatives. That election must be one for rebuilding the country and changing people’s lives,” he said.
Referring to the BNP’s election manifesto unveiled the previous day, Tarique Rahman said the party had outlined plans to improve livelihoods.
“We have taken plans for women to further empower them. We have also taken plans to strengthen farmers economically, so they can become a stronger backbone of the country,” he said.
Seeking public cooperation, he added that BNP does not make promises beyond its capacity to deliver and believes only in commitments that can be implemented.
Leaders, activists, and supporters present at the rallies voiced their support with chants of “sheaf of paddy.”
Introducing BNP candidate for Dhaka-15 Shafiqul Islam Milton, Tarique Rahman said: “The Bangladesh our martyrs dreamed of—we will, Inshallah, begin working towards that from the 13th by ensuring the victory of the sheaf of paddy on the 12th.”
In Dhaka-15, Shafiqul Islam Milton is contesting against Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, who is running with the scales symbol.