BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has urged young, first-time voters to cast their first vote for the party’s "Sheaf of Paddy" symbol in the upcoming national parliamentary elections.
He made this call on Sunday afternoon at a rally organized by the BNP’s student wing, Chhatra Dal, at Shahbagh in Dhaka.
Tarique Rahman said: "Through the leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal, and my dear student brothers and sisters, I want to make an appeal to all students and the young generation across the country- especially those who are new voters. Listen carefully… I will say this appeal first, and then you will echo it. What is the appeal? Let the first vote of youth be for the Sheaf of Paddy."
He continued: "Let us make a pledge today. Whatever it takes to build the Bangladesh of our martyrs' dreams, the future Bangladesh, and to make ourselves capable for that goal—we must all embrace those responsibilities. Let this be today’s commitment."
The student rally at Shahbagh was organized by Chhatra Dal to mark the anniversary of the July-August uprising. In the morning, Chhatra Dal activists from all over the country gathered at the site. By the afternoon, the Shahbagh area and surrounding roads were flooded with people.
Supporters occupied roads from Katabon to Matsya Bhaban and from Shahbagh to the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University. The rally officially began at 3:20pm with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an, followed by the national anthem.
Referring to the past denial of voting rights by authoritarian forces, Tarique Rahman said: “Out of nearly 130 million voters in the country, about 40 million new voters have been added to the rolls over the past one and a half decades. Though you are voters, the fascist regime had taken away your right to vote. The upcoming national election is a great opportunity to reclaim that lost right.”
He highlighted BNP’s future plans, including major reforms in the education system, employment-based education, self-development as capable leaders, language learning (including English), training in e-commerce and outsourcing, building a talented generation for higher education, and creating opportunities for overseas employment.
Addressing students and youth, he said: “Through this rally, and through you, we aim to present some of BNP’s plans and programs to the youth and student population of the country. What is the goal of this presentation? It is this: all of us have mothers. The kind of Bangladesh a mother envisions for her child is the kind of Bangladesh we want to build—together, the young and the old.”
Urging students to stay vigilant against the rise or rehabilitation of fascism and extremism, he stated: “In this country, to uproot or prevent the rise or return of fascism and extremism, students must remain aware and play an active role. That is the call made today by the rally’s president (Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib).”
Emphasizing the importance of acquiring skills in information technology and technical education, the top BNP leader said: “In this age of information technology, if you want to compete in the global marketplace with skill and competence, you must become proficient in ICT and technical education. InshaAllah, if the people mandate BNP to govern again, we will introduce ICT and technical education into the school curriculum from the primary level.”
Speaking about Dhaka University and other universities, Tarique Rahman added: “Dhaka University is tied to our history—our glorious heritage, the Liberation War. During fascist regimes, university campuses were turned into concentration camps for students with different views. Today, current students of Dhaka University have the opportunity to reestablish their campus as a safe haven for knowledge and research. We must once again spread the glorious legacy of this institution, once known as the Oxford of the East.”
As a special guest, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said: “We must remain united. The neighboring country is threatening an attack through Sheikh Hasina. We must vow never to allow fascist Hasina to do politics in this country again. We will never bow our heads to anyone.”
He added: “Our struggle now is to build a democratic Bangladesh. We await the elections in February. Before that, we await the return of our leader. Under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, we will build a truly happy Bangladesh.”
The rally was presided over by Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib and moderated by General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir. Other speakers included BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Asaduzzaman Ripon, Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Amanullah Aman, Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohail, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Chhatra Dal Senior Vice President Abu Afsar Md. Yahia, Joint Secretary General Shyamal Malum, and Organizing Secretary Amanullah Aman.
