FROM PAGE 1
and is now trying to obstruct the polls.
Tarique’s visit to Rajshahi for the rally came after around 22 years, drawing large crowds including leaders, activists and supporters.
He reached Rajshahi airport at 12:20pm. Travelling on a red and green bus, he first visited the shrine of Shah Makhdum (R) and then went to the rally venue. His motorcade faced heavy congestion as security personnel struggled to clear the crowd.
Accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman, he took to the stage on the madrasa grounds at 1:54pm. Supporters welcomed them by chanting slogans.
From morning, party leaders and activists arrived at the venue from Naogaon, Chapainawabganj, and surrounding districts by bus and truck, carrying party flags and wearing colourful caps and T-shirts. Small processions, some accompanied by musical bands, continued to arrive throughout the day.
A large number of supporters gathered at the field to catch a glimpse of Tarique; some even climbed nearby trees to listen to his speech.
Addressing the crowd, he promised to revive development projects in the Barind region to ensure sustainable agricultural growth.
“Among state-owned institutional projects, the Barind Project was the largest, with its own budget of about Tk 1,000 crore…. Over the past 16 years, no real work has been done. Today, it is almost shut down.
“If the BNP comes to power, it will be properly revived.”
He further pledged to establish cold storages for mangoes in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj to help farmers preserve their produce and secure better prices.
Referring to employment, he said, “Although there is an IT park in Rajshahi, it is practically inactive. We will make the IT park functional and provide skills training to youths for employment.”
He added that entrepreneurs would be given special support to establish agriculture-based industries to create jobs across the northern region.
Calling the February 12 election “very important”, Tarique said it will be the day the people of Bangladesh must decide which direction the country will move.
“We have to decide whether we will take the country towards democracy or let it move in another direction…. If we run the country in a democratic way, then it will be possible to implement the plans I have placed before you.
“But if we fail to protect democracy, there will be ‘mega projects’, but none for the people.”
He added that accountable governance can only be achieved when the foundation of democracy is strong. “Those who are accountable to the people will work for the people. In the past, those who held power were not accountable. That is why we saw corruption, oppression, enforced disappearances, killings, and millions of people becoming victims of cases and repression.”
Referring to recent incidents of political violence, Tarique said, “If any unwanted incident occurs anywhere, there is an interim government… I request it to conduct a fair and proper investigation. If the investigation finds any role of the BNP, we will cooperate in the probe.
“But the investigation must be proper, and justice must be served according to the country’s law.”
He ended his speech by introducing the 13 BNP candidates from Rajshahi, Natore and Chapainawabganj. He told the crowd, “Your job is to watch over them until the 12th. From the 13th, they will watch over you.”
Speaking at a rally in Naogaon’s Etim grounds later in the day, Tarique Rahman said a party had stayed away from public movements and protests over the past 16 years, but had all along been secretly aligned with those who have fled the country.
“Over the last 16 years, did you see them anywhere on the streets or in movements? Did you see them in protests? They were nowhere. But secretly, they were with them all the time. Now they have started new conspiracies. That is why you must keep your eyes and ears open, so that they cannot move your votes here and there.
“You must guard the ballot boxes. Do you remember what happened in 2008? In 2008, that ‘magic’ happened -- one moment the box was empty, the next moment it was full. You remember, right? So, you must be careful.”
Addressing voters in Naogaon and Joypurhat, he said there has been no development in the areas over the last 16 years.
“Yes, there were some big flyovers and tall buildings in Dhaka and a few other cities. There were mega projects. But mega projects also meant mega corruption.
“We want to change the fate of people living in the villages. We want to change the fate of district towns. We want to change the fate of upazila towns. We want to ensure education for our students. We want to make our women and mothers self-reliant. We want to create jobs for unemployed youth. We want to create a safe situation where people can walk safely, do business safely, and sleep safely at night.”
Tarique urged voters to ensure the BNP’s victory so that the party can meet their demands, including railway connectivity in Naogaon.
Around 12:00am, Tarique reached his ancestral district Bogura after 19 years.
Bogura-6 is also the constituency from which Tarique is contesting the election.
At 12:23am, he addressed the rally saying, “I want to thank Allah because after 19 years I have come to my own home, Bogura. I do not know what to say to you. I have become emotional. I cannot understand what speech to give.”
He said that during the 2001–2006 BNP government, Bogura saw better development than many other districts of Bangladesh, something to be proud of.
“The work in the area was carried out by my mother, Khaleda Zia. Today she is no longer here. I am standing here in her place. Should I speak as a son or as a candidate?”
The crowd answered, “Son!”
Tarique then said, “You are my own people. I want to share this with you -- in 2001–2006, my situation was one, but now it is another. Now the whole of Bangladesh is deprived.
“The people of Bogura must be serious about this election.”
“Jobs and business will be based on merit. No one should say that someone is getting advantages just because they are from Bogura district!”
(Our Rajshahi and Bogura correspondents also contributed to the report.)