BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday pledged a zero-tolerance stance against corruption and vowed to strengthen public security if his party comes to power through the 13th parliamentary election, warning that no one will be spared for graft or misuse of public resources.

Addressing a big election rally at the Polo Ground in the port city, he also said the BNP will make Chattogram the country’s commercial capital if elected, completing an initiative first taken during the party’s last tenure but left unfinished.

“We want to make it very clear that corruption is a crime. No matter who commits corruption, the law will apply equally. InshAllah no one will be spared,” Tarique told the crowd.

The BNP Chairman also said, “These two things — tackling corruption and ensuring public security — are our commitments to the people of this country.”

He said the BNP has proved in the past that it can control corruption, recalling how the Khaleda Zia government succeeded after coming to power in 2001.

“When BNP was in office, you saw that even some of our own party leaders who engaged in wrongdoing did not get exemption,” the BNP leader added.

Tarique said Chattogram carries historical, emotional and economic significance, and many people have long demanded the declaration of the city as the country’s commercial capital.

“That initiative was taken by Begum Khaleda Zia, but could not be fully completed due to lack of time. If BNP forms the next government, the initiative will be implemented as quickly as possible,” he said.

Tarique said such a move will create large employment opportunities, strengthen trade and boost economic activities not only in Chattogram but across the country.

Introducing BNP candidates from Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and the Chattogram Hill Tracts, Tarique called upon voters to place their trust in the party’s election symbol, the ‘sheaf of paddy’.

“We want to build an expected Bangladesh with everyone — whether from hills or plains, Muslim or another religion,” he said.

Read More: Tarique Rahman appeals to voters, highlights BNP’s track record

Through the large gathering, Tarique appealed to voters in the wider region to trust the BNP and its party symbol, saying that those who believe in democracy, free speech and citizens’ rights should support the party.

“InshAllah, if BNP is elected, we will together build Bangladesh for working people, just like we did in the past,” he added, repeating his slogan: “Korbo kaj, gorbo desh, Shobar Aage Bangladesh” (We shall work, we shall build the country — Bangladesh before everything).

Tarique alleged that a new political plot is underway similar to the previous 15 years during which, he claimed, people’s political and economic rights were “taken away”.

“I urge you to stay alert so that your right to vote, to speak and to live is not snatched again,” he said.

Urging people to vote on the election day, the BNP chief asked supporters to wake up for Tahajjud prayers and then go to their polling stations before dawn.

“Offer Tahajjud, then Fajr in front of the polling centre, and stand in line from the very beginning,” he said, to which activists replied, “We will!” and he answered, “InshAllah.”

Sunday’s rally marked Tarique’s first major public address in Chattogram in two decades.

He last spoke at a similar rally at Laldighi Maidan on May 6, 2005 as BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General.

Now, as party chairman, Chattogram became the second stop of his national campaign outside Dhaka after formally launching his campaign in Sylhet on January 22.

Supporters began arriving at the Polo Ground early in the morning from Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban. By 10am the field was filled to capacity.

Tarique in Chattogram for second phase of election campaign

At the beginning of his speech, Tarique greeted the crowd in the local Chattogram dialect, asking, “Onera Ken Achon?” (How are you?).

He then made historical references to Chattogram, noting that it was from this city that late President and his father Ziaur Rahman announced the country’s independence in 1971, that he was later killed here, and that his mother Begum Khaleda Zia was conferred the title of “Deshnetri” (leader of the nation).

Tarique reached Shah Amanat International Airport on Saturday night and stayed at a hotel before attending Sunday’s programme.

He arrived on stage at around 12:30pm and left for Feni at 1:40pm, where he was scheduled to address another election meeting before speaking in Cumilla’s Chauddagram, Suyagazi, Daudkandi, and later at Kanchpur near Narayanganj.

Read More: Law and order, corruption high on BNP agenda: Tarique

The rally was chaired by City Mayor and Chattogram BNP President Shahadat Hossain. BNP Standing Committee members Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed and other nominees from Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and the Hill Tracts also addressed the gathering.