BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday urged voters across the country to cast their ballots in favour of the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’, saying that the BNP is the only political party with the experience, vision and practical plans needed to rebuild the nation.
“BNP is the only party that knows how to run the state properly. We have the experience, the plans and the proven record to move Bangladesh forward,” he said while addressing an election rally at Kamal Ataturk Avenue playground in Banani under his Dhaka-17 constituency.
Tarique said Bangladesh witnessed severe hardship after independence, recalling the 1974 famine in which lakhs of people died.
He said the situation changed under the leadership of late President Ziaur Rahman.
“A country that once suffered famine later achieved food self-sufficiency and even exported food during President Ziaur Rahman’s tenure,” the BNP chief said.
Recalling political developments of the 1990s, Tarique said that after years of autocratic rule, the people entrusted BNP with state responsibility under the leadership of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
“Bangladesh then transformed into an emerging tiger through various reforms, and thousands of industries were established,” he added.
The BNP chief said if voters elected the Sheaf of Paddy, his party’s election symbol, in the February 12 election, the party would use its past experience to rebuild the country and address current challenges.
“Our main task now is state reconstruction. We have driven out authoritarianism. The next goal is to rebuild the country,” he said.
Tarique identified unemployment, particularly among educated youth, as one of the biggest challenges facing the nation.
Tarique said the country is heading towards a long-awaited election.
“In two days, Insha’Allah, the much-expected election of Bangladesh will be held. Over the last 16 years, many people have been killed for this election. We have seen during the July movement how many lives were lost,” he said.
The BNP leader urged people to give BNP the opportunity to implement its plans and programmes.“BNP will build the country together with the people.
Speaking as the Dhaka-17 candidate, Tarique said Khaleda Zia had previously been elected from the constituency and highlighted his personal connection with the area.
“This time, I am the candidate…After the Liberation War of Bangladesh, I was brought up here from 1972. My brother also grew up here. Our family and our children were born in this area,” he said.
The BNP Chairman said his mother Khaleda Zia spent her life in the area and passed away there, creating a deep emotional and spiritual bond between his family and the residents.
Outlining BNP’s plans if elected, Tarique said public expectations are naturally high, especially from a party like BNP.
“We have prepared our plans in line with the expectations of the people so that, if BNP forms the government after the election on the 12 February, we can address the needs of every segment of society,” he said.
“There are many challenges ahead. We must create employment for the country’s youth, ensure a better education system for future generations, reduce traffic congestion and repair roads,” he said.
Criticising the past pattern of governance, he said mega projects over the last 15 years had resulted in “mega corruption”, underscoring the urgent need for change. “For this change, we seek the support of people. No country can be rebuilt by keeping a large number of young people unemployed. We must create jobs both at home and abroad,” he said.
The BNP chairman also promised support for migrant workers, saying many people are forced to sell land or homes to go abroad for work.
“If BNP comes to power, we will introduce low-interest loans so expatriate workers can go abroad with dignity and contribute productively to the country,” he said.
Seeking votes as the Dhaka-17 candidate, Tarique urged local residents to support him and the party’s candidates across the country.
“I am asking for your verdict in favour of the Sheaf of Paddy so that we can change people’s lives and take the country forward,” he said.
Referring to his political upbringing, Tarique said he learned from late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia that a nation must be built by its own people.
“They always believed that we must build our country ourselves. No one else will do it for us,” he said.
On the final day of his election campaign, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to address eight rallies across Dhaka, including in his own constituency and seven other parliamentary seats under Dhaka South City.
Tarique seeks votes for 'Sheaf of Paddy', also for 'Spade' in Dhaka-12
After the Banani rally, Tarique’s motorcade left for Dhanmondi to address a roadside rally there.
He is scheduled to speak at election rallies in Dhaka-10 (Kalabagan Krira Chakra ground), Dhaka-8 (Pir Jangi Mazar Road), Dhaka-9 (Basabo Tarun Sangha ground), Dhaka-5 (Jatrabari Shaheed Faruk Road), Dhaka-4 (Jurain Dayaganj Road), Dhaka-6 (Dhopkhola field) and Dhaka-7 (Lalbagh Balur Math).
Tarique began campaigning in Dhaka city on Sunday after concluding his nationwide election campaign. He addressed seven election rallies in the capital the previous day.