Khulna: BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday emphasized that moving the country forward is impossible without ensuring active participation of women, who constitute nearly half of Bangladesh’s population. Addressing an election rally organized by Khulna Metropolitan and District BNP at Prabhati School ground in Khalishpur, Rahman highlighted the critical role of women in national progress.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rahman stressed that no development initiatives can succeed without including women, recalling former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s efforts to empower women through free education for girls. He criticized a political party’s anti-women stance and the use of derogatory language against working women, describing it as a national disgrace. Rahman pointed out the significant contributions of women to the national economy, especially in the garment sector, and condemned any attempts to demean their professional lives.
Rahman also addressed issues related to election integrity, refuting claims of hacking regarding the X (formerly Twitter) handle of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. He warned of conspiracies aiming to create confusion ahead of the polls and stressed the necessity of national reconstruction, which involves all parties, classes, and professions.
As the general election on February 12 approaches, Rahman outlined the BNP’s commitment to national reconstruction, law and order improvement, and corruption eradication if elected. He highlighted the past 16 years of political oppression and the deprivation of voting rights, advocating for a united approach to rebuild Bangladesh without exclusion based on class or gender.
Rahman pledged to reopen closed industries in Khulna, create employment through the IT sector, and introduce initiatives like ‘family cards’ and ‘agriculture cards’ to support women and farmers. He concluded by urging voters to support the BNP’s ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol, promising a discrimination-free, merit-based employment future for Bangladesh.