SAJJAD HOSSAIN

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has made over four dozen area-specific pledges over the past 10 days while campaigning in 20 districts, assuring the people of job creation, welfare, healthcare, and the development of infrastructure and agriculture.

He addressed 23 election rallies between January 22 and 31.

The BNP chief vowed to create jobs through industrial expansion, including increasing the number of EPZs in Chattogram and establishing new ones in Feni and Cumilla, to woo young voters.

In Gazipur, Tarique pledged to set up new industries, including garment factories, while industrial parks would be established in Sirajganj and Pabna if the BNP is voted to power.

Two political analysts said the area-specific promises are mainly aimed at securing votes, but without a clear framework, roadmap, funding source, and implementation plan, such pledges risk remaining unfulfilled.

During his Rajshahi visit, Tarique committed to providing special support for building agriculture-based mills in Rajshahi, Rangpur, and the northern region. He also promised tax exemptions for a certain period for IT companies to generate employment.

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