Staff Reporter:
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday urged the prople to help restart the democratic process by electing representatives to resolve the country’s problems.
Tarique also sought vote for BNP’s symbol “sheaf of paddy”, saying the people of Bangladesh experienced development whenever BNP was elected to power in the past.
The BNP chief was addresssing an election campaign at the Bhasantek Rehabilitation Project (BRP) ground, his third appearance before the public in his Dhaka-17 constituency.
During the campaign, Tarique created another stir by inviting four non-partisan women and men to the dais and asking them to tell of problems faced by them in the area.
The men and women hailed from marginal families and demanded rehabilitation, and spoke of family cards that BNP leaders were promising.
They said many young educated members of their families remained unemployed, and demanded that the Bhasantek area is developed as a neat and clean part of the capital.
Replying to them, Tarique said like others, he grew up in the area and was one of them.
“I am a candidate from this area. If elected, we will solve the problem of rehabilitation of people,” he said.
Tarique added that the people of Bangladesh want change, security of life, and jobs for the unemployed youth.
“We have taken up a plan to give skills training to youths so that they can engage in income generating activities at home or abroad. Skilled people will be able to increase production also in agriculture. We want to reorganise sports so that youths can become sportsmen like Aminul Huq, BNP’s Dhaka North convener and a candidate from Dhaka-16 constituency,” Tarique said.
The BNP chief further said an autocrat in the last 15 years destroyed the country which needs to be rebuilt.
“We have to restart democratic journey to resolve problems faced by the people. I want people’s representatives all over Bangladesh who should talk to the people, know their problems and help resolve those. The country should be governed by people’s representatives. The people in the past saw development of the country whenever BNP came to power,” Tarique said.
Tarique urged the people of Bhasantek to tell their friends and relatives across Bangladesh to vote for sheaf of paddy and make BNP victorious in the 12 February election.
The programme, which was originally scheduled at 2pm, was deferred by four hours as the first day of touring of Tarique from Sylhet to Narayanganj on Thursday (22 Jan) ran up to Friday morning beyond plan.
Local BNP leader Quader Mahmud presided over the meeting, which was addressed by Standing Committee member and chief of BNP’s central election organising committee, Nazrul Islam Khan.
Valiant freedom fighter Abdus Salam, coordinator of the Dhaka-17 Constituency election organising committee, Farhad Halim Donar, joint coordinator, Aminul Huq, Nazimuddin Alam, adviser to BNP chairman, Lutfur Rahman, president, of JAGPA, among others, were present at the rally.
