BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday said he wants to develop the entire country following the “Bogra model,” describing the district as a benchmark for balanced development based on people’s basic needs.
Addressing an election rally at Altafunnesa Playground in Bogra early Friday, Tarique said: “Bogra was like a model district to me. I always thought that if Allah ever gave me the opportunity, I would try to organise and develop the remaining 63 districts of the country in the same way I worked in Bogra. We gradually ensured the basic needs of people here, and that experience can be replicated across the country.”
Earlier on Thursday, Tarique Rahman arrived in Rajshahi by air around noon along with his wife, Zubaida Rahman, as part of his election campaign in northern districts. After attending a rally in Rajshahi, he addressed another election meeting in Naogaon and later set off for Bogra around 7pm.
Thousands of party leaders, activists and local residents lined both sides of the Bogra–Naogaon highway to welcome him. Due to massive crowds, it took around four and a half hours to travel nearly 40 kilometres to reach the rally venue.
After touring different roads in his constituency, Tarique reached Altafunnesa Playground at around 11:45pm, where the entire venue erupted in slogans welcoming him. He greeted the crowd by waving from the stage. This was his first visit to Bogra in 19 years; he last visited the district on December 24, 2006.
A special prayer (munajat) was offered for the late BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia before Tarique began his speech.
Opening his address, he said: “How are you all? First of all, I want to express my gratitude to Allah, because after nearly 19 years, He has allowed me to return to my own soil. Coming back home to my dear people of Bogra, I am at a loss for words. I have become deeply emotional.”
He added that speaking at an election rally in front of people from his own home district felt different, saying there was little left to explain to “people of one’s own home.”
Referring to development during previous BNP governments, Tarique said Bogra had been transformed into a model district.
“I call Bogra a model district because almost everything needed for daily life is available here. Except for one or two matters, people do not need to go to Dhaka or elsewhere. By the grace of Allah, we were able to build that infrastructure in Bogra.”
He cited wide roads such as the Banani–Matidali road, Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College, gas connections and other development projects as examples of efforts made to meet people’s needs.
In the upcoming election, Tarique Rahman is contesting from Bogra-6 and Dhaka-17 constituencies. Bogra-6 comprises the district’s Sadar upazila and, along with the entire district, is traditionally considered a BNP stronghold.
At the rally, he introduced BNP candidates from various Bogra constituencies, including Kazi Rafiqul Islam (Bogra-1), Mir Shahe Alam (Bogra-2), Abdul Muhit Talukdar (Bogra-3), Mosharraf Hossain (Bogra-4), Golam Mohammad Siraj (Bogra-5) and Morshed Milton (Bogra-7).
He sought votes for himself and other BNP candidates, urging supporters to vote for the party’s electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy.
Tarique said: “At this moment, I have nothing tangible to give you. I only have something to ask for—your support. The work I am doing in politics would not have been possible without the support of my wife. Similarly, if the people of Bogra stand by me and give me moral strength, In Sha Allah, we will be able to take Bangladesh to a strong and beautiful position in the days ahead.”
Remembering BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman, who was born in Bagbari village of Gabtali upazila in Bogra, Tarique said his father always emphasized unity.
“Shaheed Ziaur Rahman used to say that to build the country, we must remain united and work together. Without work, we cannot build our nation. In line with his words, I always say—‘We will work, we will build the country, Bangladesh first.’”
He also urged supporters to pray so that they could be proud of him as a leader.
Emphasizing a broader national outlook, Tarique said: “If Allah wills and we form the government, we cannot think only about our own area. The people of Bogra must think not just about their district but about the entire country. You have to provide leadership for the whole nation. Everything will be done based on merit, so that no one can say Bogra is getting special treatment simply because it is Bogra.”
After the rally, Tarique Rahman stayed overnight at a hotel in Bogra. On Friday afternoon, he is scheduled to travel by road to Pirganj in Rangpur to visit the grave of Abu Sayed, who was killed during the student–public mass uprising. Later, he will address a rally at Rangpur Eidgah ground before returning to Bogra for another overnight stay.
