BNP Vice Chairman and party nominee for Cumilla-3 (Muradnagar) constituency Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad on Friday said eliminating drug abuse and unemployment would be his top priority if elected.

He alleged that over the past 17 years, the Awami League has led a section of the country’s youths astray, while drugs have spread even to villages. “To save our youths, drugs must be eradicated,” he said, adding that many educated young people are now unemployed.

Kaikobad said steps would be taken to create jobs for educated youths and, if necessary, cottage industries would be expanded to reduce unemployment. “Removing drugs and unemployment will be my first task,” he said.

He made the remarks while addressing a series of street meetings on Friday afternoon in Nabiabad, Khaiyakhali, Hatas, Hirapur, Qurbanpur and Tonki areas under East Dhoir and West Dhoir unions of Muradnagar upazila.

The BNP leader also said that if his party comes to power, the rights of neglected women would be restored. He mentioned that BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has planned a “family card” to ensure dignity for women and a “farmer card” to support farmers.

Muradnagar upazila BNP convener Mahiuddin Andhasajan, joint convener Abdul Aziz Mollah, upazila Jubo Dal convener Sohel Samad, Swechchhasebak Dal senior joint convener Faruk Ahmed Badshah, along with local BNP and allied organisation leaders, were present at the meetings.