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Referring to the alleged controversial comments on working women by Jamaat ameer, he said any person or any party that has not even a little respect for mothers and sisters of the country, that has no respect, cannot bring progress to Bangladesh. “From them, the people can never expect dignity or respectful behaviour.”

Citing a statement by a leader of the “covert group, whose home is in Cumilla,” Tarique said the leader recently remarked at a rally that, until February 12, they would beg at the people’s feet, but after that, for the next five years, it would be the people begging at their leaders’ feet.

“Who can say such things? Does it mean that after the polls, the people will follow them everywhere and beg at their feet? What kind of people are they? Who can speak about the people in such a degrading way?

“If such people are elected... it is already clear to us how miserable the fate of the people will be. What is in their minds is already coming out in their actions.”

The BNP chief said, “Just as the leader of the covert group said they would beg at the people’s feet until February 12, we say the opposite. I tell my leaders and activists that from February 13, and for the next five years, you must remain at the feet of the people.”

He said the nation already saw what happens to those who do not have the strength and support of the people behind them.

The BNP chief urged voters to deliver a fitting response to anyone who seeks to control or disrespect the people after the February 12 polls.

“If we look at history, in 1971 and 1986, we see that they [Jammat] were always with those who fled the country. So, the people of the country cannot expect anything good from them.”

At the Barishal rally, Tarique also pledged to construct the Barishal-Bhola bridge, develop Sher-e-Bangla Medical College to improve healthcare services, establish a medical college in Bhola, take effective measures to prevent river erosion, and construct cold storage facilities for farmers.

Later at a rally at Faridpur’s Rajendra College ground, Tarique said conspiracies are being hatched again against people’s freedom, voting rights, and the right to speak.

“Who is carrying out this conspiracy? The people call those behind it by one name. Do you know what name the people have given them? Gupto.”

“Because the people have seen that at one time they take one form, and at another time they take another form. They change their appearance depending on the situation.”

Explaining why he believes they have no trust or faith in the people, Tarique cited two reasons, including that the main leader of the covert group had made offensive comments about women.

“Those who think in such a dirty way about mothers and sisters, we cannot expect anything good from them.”

“Because of their controversial role in 1971, millions of women and mothers and sisters in Bangladesh lost their honour.”