The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is set to roll out its election manifesto on Friday ahead of the 13th parliamentary election, outlining eight key pledges it says will guide the country if it returns to power, with a focus on tackling corruption, strengthening good governance and promoting economic freedom.
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will formally unveil the manifesto at 3:00pm at Sonargaon Hotel in the capital, his press secretary Saleh Shibly told UNB on Wednesday night.
Diplomats and intellectuals and noted citizens and prominent figures from various professional groups will be invited to the programme.
Party sources said the manifesto has been prepared by combining BNP’s previously announced 31-point reform outline, the July Charter, commitments made by Tarique Rahman at election rallies and the party’s recent political directions.
The manifesto gives priority to young people, females, farmers and workers, with corruption eradication, establishment of good governance, creation of new jobs and economic liberation of people set as the party’s main goals.
Special programmes have also been included to attract new voters.
According to party insiders, BNP’s core promises will centre on eight major areas, including family cards, farmer cards, social security, job creation, youth and women’s empowerment, demand-based education, improved healthcare and family-friendly policies. These programmes, already shared with the public, will receive the highest priority in the manifesto.
The manifesto will also include pledges to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000 including interest, construct the Padma Barrage in response to India’s Farakka Barrage, implement the Teesta mega plan and address region-specific problems across the country.
Restoration of democratic governance, rebuilding the electoral system, judicial independence, administrative decentralisation, protection of human rights and strengthening anti-corruption institutions have been included as central themes.
Party policymakers said BNP’s commitment is to return state ownership to the people and establish an administration free from partisan influence.
BNP leaders expressed hope that the combined manifesto, based on the 31-point agenda, the July Charter and target-group-focused commitments, will meet public expectations.
Sources said Tarique Rahman directly supervised the preparation of the manifesto, with the slogan ‘Bangladesh First’ given special importance.
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the party has already presented practical programmes aimed at ensuring economic freedom for the people, which will be reflected prominently in the manifesto.
“The main objective of the BNP manifesto is to rebuild the collapsed state structure, establish a strong democratic state and consolidate our independence, security and democracy through constitutional reforms, ultimately ensuring economic freedom for the people,” he said.
BNP announced its 31-point reform outline on July 13, 2023, aiming at constitutional and state reforms and economic emancipation.
The manifesto will elaborate on key issues including free and fair elections under a non-partisan government, independence of the Election Commission, protection of human rights, freedom of expression, transparent administration and economic recovery.
In line with the July Charter, the manifesto will also prioritise full independence and neutrality of constitutional bodies such as the Election Commission, Human Rights Commission and Anti-Corruption Commission.
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The manifesto will include commitments to develop Qawmi madrasah, establish an Islamic research fund, modernise religious education and ensure an environment free from barriers to religious practice.
It will also promise special tribunals to prevent land grabbing from religious and ethnic minorities, security cells, state support during festivals and strict action to prevent communal violence.
Targeting the youth, BNP has pledged large-scale job creation, including one crore new jobs within the first 18 months in office, startup funds, IT training, access to new overseas labour markets and formation of an anti-drug task force.
Agriculture has been given special emphasis, with commitments to reduce input costs, ensure fair prices, simplify agricultural loans and ensure transparent procurement of rice and paddy.
Tarique Rahman has recently said farmers will no longer be forced to sell crops at a loss.
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Women’s safety, equal opportunities at workplaces, women entrepreneurs’ fund, increased maternity allowances and fast-track tribunals to prevent violence against women have also been included.
BNP has already shared its eight priority social policy areas with the diplomatic community and development partners. These include family cards, farmer cards, health, education, sports, environment, employment and welfare-oriented roles for mosque- and madrasa-based religious leaders.
On January 21, BNP highlighted these eight sectors at a policy dissemination programme held at a city hotel in Banani, attended by ambassadors and diplomats from around 30 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, India, Pakistan and Russia.