BNP’s polls manifesto vowing corruption free, humane Bangladesh
Staff Reporter :
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday unveiled its manifesto for the 13th Parliamentary election, pledging to establish a justice-based, humane and prosperous Bangladesh under the guiding principle of “Bangladesh First” in state governance.
The manifesto sets out a broad agenda encompassing welfare expansion, democratic reforms, economic restructuring and institutional accountability, reflecting the party’s stated commitment to governance rooted in justice, humanitarian values and national interest.
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman formally announced the manifesto at a programme held at a city hotel around 3:30pm, just five days ahead of the national election. He stressed that no development initiative can succeed without curbing corruption and ensuring the rule of law and accountability.
“Both as an individual and as a political activist, I firmly believe that without strict action against corruption, and without establishing the rule of law and accountability, it is impossible to implement any development plan effectively,” he said while unveiling the manifesto.
The party’s 51-point manifesto outlines its proposed roadmap for governance if voted to power, including commitments to ensure meaningful representation of women in the cabinet and to introduce annual state funding for political parties.
Identifying nine priority areas, the manifesto pledges to build a welfare-oriented and prosperous Bangladesh. Key proposals include the introduction of a ‘Family Card’ to safeguard marginalised and low-income households, and a ‘Farmer Card’ to guarantee fair prices for agricultural produce.
The party also promises to recruit 100,000 health workers and introduce a skills- and values-based education policy aimed at creating a joyful, employment-focused education system.
Other priorities include generating employment opportunities for youth, developing sports as a sustainable profession through expanded infrastructure and training facilities at district and upazila levels, and strengthening environmental protection and climate resilience through public participation.
The manifesto further commits to excavating and re-excavating 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals, planting 250 million trees over five years, and introducing a modern waste management system.
It also promises a welfare programme for religious leaders of all faiths, including honorariums and training, alongside the introduction of an international payment system to boost the digital economy and global connectivity.
Highlighting these nine priorities, the manifesto describes itself not merely as an electoral pledge but as a declaration of a new social and state contract.
Framework and ideological foundation
The manifesto draws on BNP founder late President Ziaur Rahman’s 19-point programme, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s Vision-2030, Tarique Rahman’s 31-point proposal on state restructuring, and the July National Charter.
Reaffirming its ideological stance, the party reiterates its commitment to democracy, justice and moral governance, stating that its central objective is to establish a fair and accountable society while upholding religious values and ethical principles.
Democracy, reforms and accountability
Emphasising electoral and constitutional reforms, BNP pledges to restore voting as the sole legitimate source of state power and to build a sustainable democratic system through necessary reforms to the election framework and the Constitution.
The party vows zero tolerance for authoritarianism and foreign subservience, while committing to eliminating discrimination, ensuring social justice, safeguarding media freedom and guaranteeing freedom of expression.
It also promises to prepare an accurate list of Liberation War martyrs through a state-led survey, ensure due recognition and dignity for freedom fighters, preserve the correct history of the Liberation War, and encourage investment by freedom fighter entrepreneurs.
Justice for July uprising and reconciliation
The manifesto pledges justice for the July mass uprising and the 16-year anti-authoritarian movement, including recognition, treatment and rehabilitation of injured activists and support for families of martyrs.
BNP also announced plans to establish a Truth and Healing Commission under its proposed National Reconciliation framework to ensure victim-centred, restorative justice and foster national unity.
Anti-corruption and governance
Reiterating its uncompromising stance on corruption, the party promises institutional reforms, legal restructuring, real-time audits, open tendering, performance audits of government projects, and the introduction of single-window clearance systems.
The manifesto also vows to recover money allegedly laundered abroad during what it describes as the “fascist era” and to restore public confidence in state institutions through transparency and accountability.
Social protection and welfare
BNP commits to building a humane, dignified and rights-based social protection system, with key measures including: Introduction of Family Cards for every household
Farmer Cards for farmers, small traders, fishermen and livestock farmers
Expansion of social safety nets and increased allowances
Establishment of an effective pension system for private-sector workers
Special support for persons with disabilities, orphans, backward regions and marginalised communities
Women’s empowerment is prioritised, with pledges to issue Family Cards in the name of the female head of household and to provide free education up to postgraduate level.
The manifesto also promises agricultural protection through Farmer Cards and the waiver of agricultural loans, including interest, up to Tk 10,000.
To address unemployment, BNP pledges to establish government employment exchanges at district and upazila levels, provide free internet access at key public locations, and set up overseas employment training and language centres.
Economy and investment
BNP outlines an ambitious economic vision to transform Bangladesh into a $1 trillion economy by 2034, shifting from consumption-driven to investment-led growth.
Key proposals include increasing foreign direct investment to 2.5% of GDP, supporting SMEs and startups through guarantee schemes, cash-flow-based lending, crowdfunding and insurance mechanisms, and forming an Economic Reform Commission to restore confidence in the banking sector, control inflation and rationalise interest rates.
The party also pledges to ensure the autonomy of the Securities and Exchange Commission, establish a Capital Market Protection Commission, and conduct a special probe into financial irregularities over the past 15 years.
Plans are also outlined to develop Chattogram and Mongla ports into integrated logistics hubs, expand power generation capacity to 35,000 MW by 2030, strengthen transmission infrastructure, and review costly rental and quick-rental power contracts.
ICT, revenue and urban development
BNP aims to position Bangladesh as a global ICT and AI hub, create one million new ICT jobs, ensure fast and reliable internet connectivity, and implement a national connectivity master plan.
The party also pledges to gradually raise the tax-to-GDP ratio to 15% and promote balanced regional development through planned urbanisation, affordable housing, land banks, improved waste management and citizen service centres.
Religious freedom and media
Reaffirming the principle that “religion is personal, the state belongs to all,” BNP pledges to ensure full religious freedom, enhance the dignity and honorariums of khatibs, imams and muezzins, and expand religious welfare trusts.
The manifesto also promises protection of journalists’ rights, an end to harassment, justice for journalist killings, and the formation of a National Journalists’ Welfare Board.
This marks the first time BNP has unveiled an election manifesto under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. In previous national elections-the fifth through ninth-the party was led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who personally announced each manifesto.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir presided over the manifesto launching ceremony, while Standing Committee member and Central Election Steering Committee Chairman Nazrul Islam Khan moderated the event.
The programme was attended by veteran editors, senior journalists, professionals from various sectors, members of the foreign diplomatic corps, senior BNP leaders, alliance partners, and noted academics and researchers.