A party now trying to derail election process: Tarique
Staff Reporter :
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday alleged that a particular party is now determined to obstruct the upcoming elections, similar to how people’s voting rights were taken away through staged night-time voting during the previous regime.
“Under the guise of vote counting, if anyone attempts to gain undue advantage, the people must stand up against it,” he said while addressing an election rally as the chief guest at the Jashore Upashahar Degree College ground.
Earlier on the day, the BNP Chairman said in Khulna rally those who disrespect women, even if they have women in their party, then what is the identity of their party’s female workers, those who resort to lies and those who have taken away the people’s right to vote, can never be patriotic or people-oriented.
He said these things at a BNP election rally held at Khulna’s Prabhati School Ground on Monday.
He said, Bangladesh will have to move forward not just through words, but through practical work.
Stating that the first responsibility of BNP if it forms a government will be to reconstruct the country, he said, the country will have to be built with everyone, regardless of party, opinion, class or profession. It is never possible to reconstruct the country with just one class.
Tarique Rahman said in separate rallies, that a certain party has been belittling women and attempting to confine them to their homes. “But to build a nation, men and women must work side by side,” he said.
He further alleged that the leader of one party, while speaking to foreign media,
expressed views on women that raised serious concerns.
“The same leader later made extremely offensive remarks about working women,” Tarique added.
According to him, a party that makes such derogatory comments about women cannot bring any positive change if it comes to power.
“They are now openly misleading the public by claiming their account was hacked,” he alleged.
Tarique recalled that former prime minister Khaleda Zia had made girls’ education free to empower women. He said that if BNP forms the government, family cards will be issued in the names of mothers and sisters.
Speaking on development plans, Tarique said BNP would take initiatives to re-excavate canals and water bodies in the region, including the Ulashi Canal previously excavated by former president Ziaur Rahman, and revive the GK Project to permanently address waterlogging.
“All necessary projects will be undertaken to change the lives of ordinary people,” he added.
He also promised state allowances for mosque imams, muezzins, and priests of other religions if BNP comes to power. “BNP will build the country together with people of all faiths,” he said.
Highlighting regional development, Tarique said initiatives would be taken to export flowers from Jashore and revive the region’s sugar mills if BNP forms the government.
During the rally, he formally handed over the sheaf of paddy symbol to BNP-nominated candidates in 22 constituencies across seven districts of the Jashore–Kushtia region and urged people to ensure their victory.
Tarique’s presence in Jashore created a wave of enthusiasm among party leaders and activists. BNP activist Nurnabi, who traveled from Jaharpur in Bagherpara, said, “After long sacrifices, our party chairman has finally returned to the country.
“Though I have never seen him in person before, today I will. From Jashore, he will present plans to build the future Bangladesh. His arrival has turned the entire city into a festive place.”