Staff Reporter :
In a virtual address on Saturday, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman emphasised the urgent need for a democratic system to resolve Bangladesh’s pressing issues and safeguard the nation’s future.
Speaking at a training program organised by the Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal, the peasant wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Rahman underlined the necessity of ensuring the people’s right to vote and denounced any attempts to undermine the democratic process.
Rahman stated that the establishment of a true democratic system is paramount to resolving the country’s long-standing challenges. “The problems in all sectors, from education to industry, cannot be addressed until we have a democratic system in place,” he said.
He further stressed that without true representatives accountable to the people, efforts to curb corruption, eliminate market manipulation, and foster sustainable development would remain futile.
Highlighting his party’s commitment to the welfare of farmers, Rahman revealed BNP’s plan to revive a canal digging initiative, originally launched by the party’s founder, Ziaur Rahman, in the late 1970s. The project, aimed at addressing water shortages and boosting agricultural productivity, would seek to alleviate farmers’ challenges and reduce the nation’s dependence on food imports.
“We will re-launch the canal digging program to address the water crisis in agriculture, which will ultimately increase food production and ease the burden of food imports,” he announced.
Rahman’s remarks also touched on the broader political landscape, where he warned of ongoing conspiracies against the country and its people. He called on nationalist forces to remain vigilant and spread the message that the nation’s issues could only be solved if the right to vote was fully restored.
“We must tell the people that regardless of their political affiliation, their voting rights must be safeguarded,” he urged. Rahman emphasized that fair elections, conducted in daylight, free from intimidation or manipulation, were essential for restoring faith in the democratic process.
The BNP leader condemned the practice of rigged elections and the use of nighttime voting to skew results. “No more sham elections should be allowed. Voting must take place in daylight, and citizens should have the freedom to vote safely and for whoever they choose,” he declared.
Rahman reiterated his belief that a fair and neutral election process would gradually address the country’s economic and social challenges.
In addition to political reforms, Rahman outlined BNP’s future plans to support farmers and improve the agricultural sector. He promised to strengthen Krishak Dal by involving more genuine farmers, ensuring that they are better equipped to contribute to the nation’s food security and economic growth.
Rahman also pledged to introduce effective measures aimed at keeping commodity prices within reach for ordinary citizens, thereby easing the financial strain on the country’s working class.
The event, held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, was part of a broader initiative to revitalize BNP’s grassroots network and garner support for the party’s policies on agriculture and economic reform.