Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today stated that the protection of farmers’ interests will be given the utmost priority if the BNP is voted into power. “We will resume Shaheed Zia’s canal digging programme if we form the government with people’s mandate in the future. We will have to do this to facilitate the farmers in their need of water,” Rahman emphasized during a virtual address as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of a training programme and discussion organized by the Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh auditorium in the capital’s Kakrail.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Tarique Rahman highlighted the declining groundwater level as a concern for the country, stating, “We have to dig canals for many reasons. Shaheed Zia managed water for farming by digging canals as crop production was hampered due to lack of water.” He further elaborated that during President Ziaur Rahman’s government tenure, the avail
ability of water allowed farmers to grow two to three crops on lands that typically yielded only one crop.
Rahman also announced plans for farmers’ rallies in every union of the country over the next three months, starting from November 10. He noted that the Krishak Dal would be organized with an agriculture-centric focus. Other notable figures who spoke at the discussion included BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Vice-Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, and Acting General Secretary of Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal Mosharraf Hossain, with Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal President Hasan Zafir Tuhin presiding over the event.
Addressing the current state of affairs in Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman asserted that conspiracies against the country persist and cannot be countered without restoring democracy and ensuring accountability. He demanded a fair and neutral election, stressing the importance of ensuring people’s voting rights to thwart conspiracies. “If a fair election is held, we will be able to resolve the pro
blem of the country and its people gradually,” he declared, adding, “There is no compromise with a neutral election,” and urged party members to communicate this message to people across all levels of society.