Dhaka: BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today stated that if his party secures a majority in the upcoming national parliamentary elections, it will establish a government that serves the people rather than one that is party-based. “If we are elected and form a government by the grace of Allah, that government will not be a government of the party, but a government of the people. We will be the government for those who would give us vote and those who wouldn’t,” he announced.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Tarique Rahman made these remarks during his address as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the fifth day of BNP’s 7-day programme titled ‘Plan for Nation Building’ at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) Convention Hall in the city. He urged party activists to embrace the eight fundamental plans derived from the party’s 31-point programme, emphasizing that these plans are centered on the people and the nation rather than being partisan.
The 31-point agenda addresses significant issues such as constitutional and legal matters, human rights, and focuses on key areas like women’s freedom, dignity, and security enhancement, youth employment, educational arrangements, teacher improvement, farmer benefits, and medical facilities. Rahman highlighted that these eight issues were extracted from the 31-points, and teams comprising approximately 150 experts have worked for the past one and a half to two years on strategies for their implementation, aligning with the country’s administrative and economic structure.
“The plans we have presented to you today, we have also simultaneously highlighted how we intend to implement them,” Rahman noted. He emphasized that the BNP’s socio-economic development plan for the 20 crore people of the country must reach the grassroots level.
Rahman criticized other political parties for not addressing fundamental issues facing the public today. “If you open newspapers or watch talk-shows today is anyone talking about farmers? Who is talking about children’s education, climate change, employment or women’s empowerment? Nobody is talking about these except the BNP,” he asserted.
Reflecting on a warning he issued a year ago, Rahman stated, “I had said the election would not be easy. Many dismissed it with a laugh then. Today, you are all realizing the meaning of my words.” Addressing party activists, he warned, “If we are not serious even now, the country’s existence and sovereignty will be threatened.”
He promised realistic plans across all sectors, including education, Krishok Card, canal excavation, afforestation, healthcare system improvement, and youth employment. “We do not make unrealistic promises. We create plans. We will advance slowly, and by the will of Allah, we will be successful,” he added.
Rahman urged unity within the party, emphasizing the importance of the party symbol, stating, “Candidates will come and go, but the Sheaf of Paddy (Dhaner Shish) will remain. Your job is to unite public opinion in favour of the Sheaf of Paddy.”
The event was presided over by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Earlier in the day, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhru Islam Alamgir inaugurated the event. BNP joint secretary general Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel moderated the event while BNP Acting Chairman’s Adviser Mahdi Amin, along with other senior BNP leaders, spoke at the event. Over a thousand leaders from BNP’s divisional organizational units participated in the event.