BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman sought votes for the party’s electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy, outlining his future plans and pledging socio-economic development for the people of Rangpur division in the country’s north.
He made the appeal while addressing an election rally at the Rangpur Collector Eidgah ground Friday night.
After concluding an election rally in Bogra on Thursday night, Tarique Rahman stayed overnight at Hotel Naz Garden.
On Friday around 11am, he distributed wheelchairs among children and adolescents with special needs at the hotel’s ballroom. Speaking on the occasion, he said persons with disabilities are our brothers and sisters—an integral part of our families and society.
“Many of them possess talents that many of us do not. We must stand by people with disabilities from our respective positions,” he added.
Addressing the program, Tarique Rahman’s wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, said she felt delighted to return to Bogra after a long time. She recalled Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia, whom she described as the mother of democracy.
On behalf of Dr Zobaida Rahman, wheelchairs were distributed to 20 children with disabilities. The children also performed the song “Prothom Bangladesh, Amar Shesh Bangladesh” and presented handmade gifts to Tarique Rahman and Dr Zubaida Rahman.
After the program, Tarique Rahman offered Jummah prayers at Bogra’s Baitul Aman Central Mosque. He then departed for Rangpur along the Bogra–Rangpur highway. On the way, he paid his respects at the shrine of Hazrat Shah Sultan (R) at Mahasthangarh in Shibganj, Bogra, and briefly addressed a roadside gathering at Mokamtala Bazar.
At the roadside meeting, he said: “By voting for the sheaf of paddy in the February 12 national election, prove that the soil of Bogra is a BNP stronghold.”
He added: “Whenever the sheaf of paddy has formed governments through the people’s votes, it has worked for the development of the country and local areas. Dear people of Mokamtala, we want to develop your area once again.”
After the meeting, his motorcade resumed its journey to Rangpur. Large crowds of party leaders, activists and supporters lined both sides of the road to catch a glimpse of him, causing delays before he reached Rangpur.
In Rangpur’s Pirganj, Tarique Rahman visited the grave of Abu Sayed, and later met with his family before heading to the Collector Eidgah ground. He took the stage at around 8:30pm and began his speech shortly before 9pm.
In a nearly 25-minute address, he said: “Many people say Rangpur is a poor region. I believe this is the most promising region. But to turn that potential into reality, we need the right plan, the right people, and the right leadership. Only then can we bring change to this division.”
He reiterated that change requires “the right people and the right leadership.”
Pledging to implement the Teesta Barrage if BNP comes to power, Tarique Rahman said: “A major problem across this region and throughout Bangladesh is the water crisis. Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had initiated efforts to resolve it. If BNP forms the government on the 13th after the February 12 election, we will begin work as quickly as possible to realize the master plan for the Teesta Barrage for the people of this region, In sha Allah.”
He also promised special support for entrepreneurs to establish agro-based industries in the region, waiver of interest on agricultural loans up to Tk10,000, and arrangements for the government to repay microloans taken by borrowers from NGOs, among other commitments.
Referring to Jamaat-e-Islami, he said: “There is a party that has been spreading lies against BNP over the past few days; they did so again today.”
BNP-led governments were in power from 2001 to 2006 after winning the eighth parliamentary election, with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami as the main alliance partner. Recalling that period, Tarique Rahman said: “They were with us from 2001 to 2006. My question is—good people keep good company, don’t they? If BNP is such a bad party, why were they with us for five years?”
He added: “Either the party has lost its senses, or they are misleading people about their own leadership.”
Urging voters to support "Yes" in the referendum, he said: “When you stamp the sheaf of paddy, you will also be given a second ballot with ‘Yes’ and ‘No’. I request you to cast your verdict in favor of ‘Yes’ as well. You’ll remember, won’t you?”
Remembering Abu Sayed, the first martyr of the July movement, the BNP chairperson said: “Rangpur is a land sanctified by the blood of Abu Sayed. The sacrifices we witnessed during the July movement can never go in vain.”
He added: “We must honor those sacrifices at any cost. How will we do that? We will truly honor the sacrifice of Abu Sayed—and of the 1,400 people who were martyred—only when the political and economic rights of the people of this country are fully established.”
