BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday said his party will prioritise ensuring law and order and tackling corruption if voted to power.
“Those who will form the government after winning the election must first ensure one thing, and that is the rule of law. In simple terms, it means people’s security or law and order. I think our foremost effort should be to ensure this with all our strength,” he said.
Tarique made the remarks while virtually addressing a discussion programme titled 'Upcoming Election and People’s Expectation', organised by BNP as part of its initiative to exchange views with professionals and noted citizens.
The programme was held at a city hotel, with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir presiding.
The BNP leader said that if the next government can ensure the rule of law and maintain the law and order, there will be a strong possibility that many problems will start to ease, and then it will be possible to move forward with other necessary work.
Referring to the long period of what he described as autocratic rule in the past, Tarique said unhealthy practices had developed in different sectors of society, including administration, business and other areas, where people received benefits and privileges they did not deserve.
“This has almost become a habit over time. So this situation and this mindset must be changed. In simple words, corruption must be firmly brought under control. We have to pull the reins on corruption,” he said.
The BNP leader said corruption will have to be controlled in all sectors, including development activities and public procurement.
He said there is no reason to knowingly waste public money when other options are available, especially if those options could deliver services to people more quickly.
As an example, Tarique said that if faster health services can be ensured through an alternative approach, it should be seriously considered and efforts should be made to implement it, as that is their objective.
Presenting his party’s various plans for the country’s development and people’s welfare, he acknowledged that the issues discussed are not easy to address and required courage and responsibility.
“The right decision is not always the popular decision. Popular decisions can be taken easily, but the correct decision is not always popular,” the BNP leader said, adding that this is why decision-making is often very difficult.
He stressed that despite these challenges, taking correct and responsible decisions will be essential to meet people’s expectations and build a stable, secure and accountable state.
The BNP leader sought full cooperation from professionals to secure a strong public mandate in the upcoming national parliamentary election.
“We need public support to implement the plans we have prepared. To do this, the next government must stand on a strong mandate,” Tarique said.
If f the mandate is weak, he said it may not be possible to carry out many important tasks. “To get a strong mandate, public support is essential, and you can support us from your respective positions.”
Addressing the professionals, Tarique said their shared goal should be to begin building the Bangladesh people aspire to through the next government.
“This work has no end. There will always be scope for improvement. But we must make a good start,” he said.
Tarique also outlined BNP’s plans for building future Bangladesh, particularly in areas such as education, unemployment, family cards, farmers’ cards and health cards.
University teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, journalists, human rights activists, cultural workers and people from various professions attended the programme.
Professor Borhanuddin Khan presented the keynote paper at the discussion.