BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday said political opponents are trying to distort and divert public attention regarding the implementation of BNP’s electoral pledges including the ‘Family Card’ and ‘Farmers Card’ programmes but are failing to shake people’s confidence.
“An atmosphere of hope and trust has emerged among people today. They are unable to destabilise that confidence. That is why they are resorting to sarcasm and making various adverse comments,” he said.
Rizvi made the remarks while briefing reporters after a joint meeting organised by BNP at the party’s Nayapaltan central office in the capital. He presided over the meeting.
BNP Joint Secretary General Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohel was present at the briefing.
Rizvi said that before the opponents’ criticisms can even gain traction, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is already moving ahead rapidly in fulfilling the promises made to the people.
“When they see that Tarique Rahman is moving much faster in implementing promises than their comments can spread, they become frustrated. His works are already being accomplished,” he said.
He said Tarique Rahman had clearly outlined before the people what BNP would do if it came to power and what role it would play for public welfare.
“Since the day he formed the government after winning a landslide mandate, he has been playing an extraordinary role in fulfilling those commitments,” Rizvi said.
The PM's Political Adviser also criticised a previous government for failing to fulfil their promises to people.
“They could not provide rice at Tk 10 per kg, could not ensure jobs in every household and could not provide fertiliser free of cost, despite making those pledges,” he said.
“But BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has only promised what is realistically possible in our socio-economic condition and he is doing exactly what he said,” he added.
Rizvi described former President Ziaur Rahman as a ‘rare statesman’ who established multi-party democracy in Bangladesh and guided the country towards development.
The meeting was organised marking the 45th martyrdom anniversary of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman.
He said Bangladesh had plunged into famine, violence and political chaos after independence and at that critical moment people and members of the armed forces jointly accepted Ziaur Rahman as their leader to restore peace and stability.
“His success remains a bright chapter in history,” Rizvi said.
He said Ziaur Rahman took groundbreaking initiatives to increase production, create employment opportunities, send manpower abroad and reform the agricultural sector.
He also excavated 1,600 kilometres of canals as part of his efforts to tackle the impacts of reduced water flow caused by the Farakka Barrage, he added.
Rizvi said Ziaur Rahman also internationalised the issue of Bangladesh’s fair share of water from transboundary rivers and worked to protect the country’s sovereignty and national interests.
“He not only focused on development and production, but also strengthened the country’s independence and sovereignty through various initiatives,” he added.
He said Ziaur Rahman revived multi-party democracy after what he termed the killing of democracy through the formation of the one-party BAKSAL system on January 25, 1975.
“Many political parties resumed their activities and everyone began speaking freely again,” Rizvi said.
He also praised Former Prime Minister and Former BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for continuing the struggle for democracy following Ziaur Rahman’s path and enduring repeated repression and imprisonment.