BNP pledges focus on jobs, agriculture and slum development if elected: Tarique

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday said that if elected, his party would prioritise job creation for young people, revitalising the agricultural sector, and developing infrastructure to rehabilitate slum dwellers, alongside addressing broader social challenges.

Speaking at a massive election rally at Bhashantek in the capital, he said the fall of autocratic rule had come through years of struggle and movements, and that the time had now come to rebuild the country.

He noted that prolonged authoritarian rule had damaged many state institutions, adding that national reconstruction would require representatives elected by the people through a credible and democratic process.

Referring to past elections, Tarique said that during what he described as “managed” polls, ordinary citizens were unable to reach their representatives with their grievances.

He claimed that people had been deprived of their voting rights through “dummy” elections over the past 16 years, stressing that the moment had arrived to establish a government genuinely chosen by the people.

To restore democracy, he underscored the importance of electing true public representatives in the February 12 election.

Addressing the rally, Tarique said he wanted to hear people’s concerns directly from them. He expressed optimism that in the future, elected representatives would maintain regular contact with citizens, listen to their problems and work towards solutions.

Outlining BNP’s policy agenda, he said the party would introduce special cards for farmers and provide easy-term loans to accelerate agricultural development.

He also pledged programmes focused on youth training and education to build a skilled workforce capable of creating jobs domestically, working abroad as skilled labour, or starting their own businesses.

On women’s empowerment, Tarique said a BNP government would create more employment opportunities for women and introduce family cards for them.

He reiterated that these initiatives would be implemented if the party formed the government after the upcoming general election.

Calling on supporters to take the pledge, “We will work, we will build the country—Bangladesh first,” Tarique said people’s lives had improved whenever BNP’s electoral symbol, the Sheaf of Paddy, was elected by popular vote.

He urged party leaders and activists to ensure victory for the Sheaf of Paddy across the country and encouraged them to persuade even their relatives to vote for the BNP.

Tarique addressed the rally alongside his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman. BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan and the chairperson’s adviser Abdus Salam also spoke at the event.

Earlier, Tarique interacted with people from various professions in the Bhashantek area, including rickshaw van pullers, homemakers, slum residents and students. He discussed local issues with them and assured that solutions would be pursued if he were elected and BNP formed the next government.

Tarique took the stage around 6:30pm, where he was welcomed with applause by waiting party leaders and activists.

Bhashantek falls under the Dhaka-17 constituency, from which Tarique is contesting as the BNP candidate in the 13th parliamentary election. On the second day of the official campaign, he attended the rally in his constituency.

On the ground, BNP leaders, activists and voters began gathering at the venue even before the Asr prayer. By the time of Maghrib, the venue was packed, with many unable to enter the ground and instead assembling on nearby roads due to the large turnout.