Tarique promises Padma barrage, Barind project revival for northwest during Rajshahi rally
Following the Rajshahi rally, the BNP chairman will address two more election meetings today - at Atim Field in Naogaon at 5:30pm and at Alatunnesa Sports Ground in Bogura at 7:30pm.
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman outlined his party's development agenda for the country's northwestern region, saying the BNP wants to revive the Barind Multipurpose Development Project, excavate canals and wetlands, dredge the Padma River, and initiate work on constructing a Padma barrage to address water scarcity and unemployment.
"Whether the Padma River has water or not, there is no employment, even though there are so many people. We want to revive the Barind Multipurpose Development Project in the Barind region, excavate canals and wetlands, dredge the Padma River, and initiate work on constructing the Padma barrage. To achieve this, the 'Sheaf of Paddy' must prevail," he said while addressing a massive rally in Rajshahi today (29 January) during his first visit to the region in over two decades.
"We want to build cold storage facilities for farmers, make the IT Park functional, and establish vocational institutes," he said.
"Educating people alone is not enough; we want to make them self-reliant. For this, each family will be provided a Family Card. A specialised hospital will be set up in Rajshahi. We aim to develop agro-based industries and set up dedicated support mills. Farmers will receive an Agriculture Card, and agricultural loans of up to Tk10,000 will be waived along with interest," he added.
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Tarique also warned about attempts to disrupt the upcoming election. "In the past, people could not exercise their right to vote. This time, another group is secretly plotting how to damage or obstruct the vote. You, who have gathered here in thousands and lakhs, must remain vigilant and ensure that no one can sabotage the election. Everyone must stay alert so that the vote cannot be manipulated. If the people remain vigilant on the 12th, from the 13th, it will be the people's day."
At the election rally at the historic Madrasah Ground in Rajshahi, Tarique Rahman said, "We believe in peace. If there is peace, we will be able to work for the people. We do not want to get involved in quarrels, chaos, or disputes. That is why we are not criticising anyone here. Will criticism fill your stomach? Will it create jobs or cancel agricultural loans? Nothing of that sort will happen."
He urged the interim government, "If any unwanted incidents occur anywhere, conduct a proper and fair investigation. Even if BNP has a role, we will cooperate, but the investigation must be thorough. Justice must then be served according to the country's existing laws, but it must be a proper and fair investigation. We want peace in the country."
His arrival drew large crowds from Rajshahi and neighbouring districts, with party leaders and activists gathering since morning to welcome him ahead of the rally.
After arriving in Rajshahi, the BNP Chairman visited the shrine of Hazrat Shah Makhdum (R) around 1:15pm and is on his way to join the public rally at Rajshahi's historic Madrasah Ground.
Security has been tightened in and around the shrine in view of Tarique Rahman's visit. Members of the police and administration, along with CSF personnel, have been deployed in large numbers. Law enforcement agencies, including the police, RAB, and BGB, are maintaining security at the site, while BNP's volunteer teams are also assisting with security arrangements.
Tarique Rahman is scheduled to address an election rally at the historic Rajshahi Madrasah Ground at 2pm. Since morning, leaders and activists from Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Natore districts have been gathering at the venue, many wearing BNP-branded headbands and carrying sheaves of paddy, the party's electoral symbol, while chanting slogans in a show of enthusiasm.
A woman BNP leader from Charghat said she arrived at the ground after Fajr prayers just to see Tarique Rahman. "We expect him to work for the country and its people, just like national leader Begum Khaleda Zia," she said.
According to BNP's media cell, after arriving in Rajshahi, Tarique Rahman will visit the shrine of Hazrat Shah Makhdum (R) before joining the rally. From the stage, he is expected to formally introduce 13 BNP parliamentary candidates from the three districts.
Following the Rajshahi rally, the BNP chairman will address two more election meetings today — at Atim Field in Naogaon at 5:30pm and at Alatunnesa Sports Ground in Bogura at 7:30pm. He will stay overnight at Hotel Naz Garden in Bogura for two days during the tour.
On 30 January, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit the grave of Shaheed Abu Sayeed at Pirganj in Rangpur at 3:45pm, before addressing an election rally at Rangpur Eidgah Field at 4:30pm.
On the final day of the tour, 31 January, he will speak at a rally at BSCIC Industrial Park at 2pm and later at a roadside rally in the Darun Charjana Bypass area on the Dhaka–Tangail highway at 4pm.
BNP leaders said the Rajshahi visit marks Tarique Rahman's return to the city after 22 years, his last visit being in 2004 when he attended a union representatives' conference. Naturally, his visit has generated significant excitement among party leaders and supporters, who are expecting what could be the largest public gathering in Rajshahi's political history.
Tarique Rahman began his election campaign on 22 January in Sylhet, followed by rallies in Chattogram on 25 January and Mymensingh on 27 January. So far, he has addressed 16 election rallies across the country, with large crowds attending most venues. Several meetings reportedly ran three to five hours behind schedule as supporters waited late into the night for his arrival.
