BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday said a democratic system, ensuring people’s right to vote, must be established to address the country’s problems and resist all forms of conspiracy against the nation. Speaking at a training programme of Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal, he also announced that if his party returns to power, they will re-launch the canal digging programme initiated by BNP founder Ziaur Rahman in the late 1970s to address farmers' water crises and boost agricultural production in an effort to reduce food imports. “The conspiracies against the country, its people, and the nationalist forces have not stopped. The nationalist forces must alert everyone, including those in rural areas, and convey the message that the problems in all sectors cannot be resolved until we establish a democratic system,” the BNP leader said. Tarique said people are getting to know about the plots to some extent through various news reports in newspapers, on social media, and even through telephone conversations. He also said without true representatives accountable to people, it will not be possible to control the market or eliminate business syndicates. "In the same way, it will be impossible to develop any sector of the country, from education to industry, or to contain corruption, or achieve any positive progress without a democratic system." Tarique urged the nationalist forces also to convey a message to the people, even at the union level, that the voting rights of citizens must be safeguarded at all costs. “You must tell the people that, regardless of which party’s politics they support or who they wish to vote for, their voting rights must be ensured. There’s no compromise with it” He also said no more sham elections or voting at night should be allowed in Bangladesh. “Voting must take place in daylight. There should be the freedom to vote for anyone you choose, and the freedom to vote safely. No one should be allowed to disturb and intimidate others.” The BNP leader said the election must be held in a fair and neutral manner without any fear. “If we can ensure this, we will gradually be able to ease the problems facing the country and its people.” The BNP leader also said that people's right to franchise must be restored to thwart all forms of plots. Democracy, voting rights key to solving national issues: Tarique Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal organised the day-long programme at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh.  It has decided to hold farmers' rallies at the union level for the next three months. Tarique shared his party's future plans to improve the agriculture sector, enhance facilities for farmers, and take effective steps to increase all forms of agricultural production in order to keep commodity prices within the purchasing power of the common people. He also said Krishak Dal, the peasant wing of BNP, will be strengthened by involving more genuine farmers in the future." Tarique said BNP will try to resolve the problems the farmers are facing if it comes to power. He said BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s canal digging programme, which effectively helped increase crop production, would be revived. “Farmers face water shortage for crop production. If BNP forms the government in the future, the canal digging programme will be restarted.” The BNP leader said this programme will address the farmers’ water crisis, help create water reservoirs, and reduce the reliance on underground water. Stating that the country’s population has now reached nearly 20 crore, Tarique emphasised that agriculture must be prioritised to produce food for such a large population. “It is not feasible to import food for so many people. So, basic food must be produced within the country. We need to consider how to expand agricultural land. There are certain measures we can take to increase agricultural land, but this will only be possible if we return to power,” he said. He also said a significant portion of women, including in the rural areas of Bangladesh, are involved in agriculture. “So, greater attention must be given to the agricultural sector.” Referring to the issue of farmers' seeds crisis, the BNP leader said, "We have considered agricultural insurance because crops are often damaged by natural disasters." He also said if a people's government is established, they will take many other steps to develop the agricultural sector, including the establishment of agro-based industries and the introduction of cooperative agriculture.

BNP on Monday announced a partial committee of its associate body, Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal, five months after its national council. Hasan Jafir Tuhin has been made president while Shahidul Islam Babul general secretary of the seven-member partial committee of Krishak Dal. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir approved the committee, said a press release. Tuhin was the member secretary of the organisation’s previous convening committee while Babul is BNP's Dhaka divisional assistant organising secretary. Helaluzzaman Talukder Lalu has been made senior vice president of the committee while Gautam Chakraborty vice-president, Engineer TS Ayub and Mosharraf Hossain joint secretaries and Shafiqul Islam office secretary. READ: Krishak Dal’s convening committee formed after 21 yrs The fourth council of Krishak Dal was held on March 12 this year and BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir dissolved its convening committee at the inaugural session. But no fresh committee could be formed at the council due to conflict among its leaders. On February 27, 2019, BNP constituted a 153-member new convening committee of Krishak Dal after 21 years of its third council. READ: Thank govt for suspending Khaleda’s sentence, Hasan tells BNP On December 30, 1980, BNP founder late Ziaur Rahman established the Krishak Dal to ensure the rights and welfare of farmers.