Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party Tarique Rahman on Tuesday urged people, regardless of caste, creed or religion, to remain united like in 1971 and the July uprising to ensure his party’s victory in the February 12 election and rebuild the country.
‘We achieved independence through immense sacrifice during the War of Independence. Later, on August 5, 2024, students and people from all walks of life once again came forward to defend that freedom,’ he said.
Speaking at a massive rally at the Mymensingh Circuit House ground, the BNP chief also said that in both 1971 and 2024, people stood shoulder to shoulder without asking ‘who came from the hills or the plains, or who was Muslim, Christian or from another faith’.
‘This time, on February 12, we must stand united again. If we remain united, just as we won independence and removed autocracy, we will be able to build the Bangladesh we dream of,’ he said.
Rebuilding Bangladesh in line with people’s aspirations requires the slogan ‘work for the country, build the nation; Bangladesh above everything’, Tarique said.
‘Bangladesh will move forward only if we remain united. Only through unity can people’s rule be established and accountability ensured. Let us pledge today to transform Bangladesh into a country truly run by its people,’ he said.
Tarique introduced 24 BNP candidates from Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Netrakona and Sherpur, handing them the party’s paddy sheaf symbol. ‘I am entrusting them to you. Make them victorious so they can serve you.’
Tarique, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, arrived in Mymensingh by road around 3:30pm as part of his countrywide election campaign.
Thousands of party leaders and supporters from the four districts gathered at the Circuit House ground, where security personnel struggled to clear the way for his motorcade.
Before taking the stage, Tarique spoke with family members of those killed and injured in the July uprising and in democratic movements against Sheikh Hasina over the past 17 years. He also shook hands with them and expressed his sympathy.
Zubaida Rahman was also present on the stage but did not speak. She was seen repeatedly waving to the crowd, visibly moved by the reception.
Calling for early voter turnout, Tarique asked party supporters to line up at polling centres from dawn on the election day. ‘When voting begins, you must vote early. But you must not leave after voting.’
‘You must stay at the polling centres and ensure votes are properly counted. For many years, we were denied the right to vote and votes were stolen in different ways. This time, we must remain alert so that no one can steal our votes,’ he said.
The BNP chief sought a pledge from the crowd to guard polling stations. When supporters responded loudly with ‘yes’, Tarique replied, ‘inshallah’.
Tarique briefly outlined the BNP’s plans if elected, including family cards for women, farmer cards for farmers, health cards for all and initiatives to reduce unemployment.
Calling February 12 a decisive day, he said that people would finally be able to exercise their voting rights after 16 years marked by enforced disappearances, killings and repression.
He blamed unresolved regional problems on ‘night-time votes and dummy elections’ that denied people a genuine mandate.
Outlining BNP’s plans for Mymensingh, Tarique said that the party aimed to create jobs by exporting fish fry and ensure timely delivery of seeds and pesticides to support farmers for at least one crop season.
He also pledged to make Mymensingh drug-free through skilled youth development, provide basic healthcare services at home and improve the living standards of imams and muezzins through special training programmes.
He sought votes for BNP’s paddy sheaf symbol to implement these plans.
The BNP chairman accused a political party, in an apparent reference to Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, of attacking the BNP using the same language once used by an autocratic ruler who later fled the country.
He rejected claims that BNP was a champion of corruption, noting that two Jamaat leaders served as ministers throughout the full term of the BNP-led government from 2001 to 2006.
‘If BNP was so corrupt, why did their ministers remain in the government and not resign?’ he asked, adding that they stayed because they knew former prime minister Khaleda Zia did not tolerate corruption.
Tarique said that international data showed that corruption in Bangladesh began to decline during Khaleda Zia’s tenure from 2001.
He accused BNP’s critics of exposing their own contradictions.
Avoiding harsh attacks on rival parties, Tarique said that the BNP believed in politics based on work rather than rhetoric, adding that the party had both the experience and the plan to serve the people and control corruption.
The rally was presided over by Mymensingh 5 candidate and south district convener Zakir Hossain Babul.
After concluding the Mymensingh rally, Tarique left for Gazipur to attend his next campaign event at Rajbari College ground.
