PM warns of conspiracies, urges nation to remain vigilant

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said he is sensing signs of a conspiracy in the country and urged people to remain vigilant.

Speaking as the chief guest at a rally organised by the Bogura district BNP today (20 April), he said, "I am sensing the smell of conspiracy today. Those who speak of reform and attempt to mislead the public do not speak about women's freedom or development, nor do they highlight the commission formed on medicine and healthcare."

He also warned of renewed efforts to create confusion, recalling past instances in 1971, 1986, 1996 and 2008 when, he claimed, the public had been misled.

Tarique also said differences of opinion are natural in a democracy.

"It is not necessary that I agree with everything. We have expressed disagreement on certain issues. Following discussions of the reform commission, we clarified to the people where we agree and where differences remain," he said.

Referring to the July Charter, he said, "After the reform commission discussions, the interim government organised a ceremony at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad. At that event, BNP signed the July Charter, and many others subsequently followed and endorsed it."

Tarique further said that hundreds of BNP leaders and activists were subjected to enforced disappearances and killings over the past 17 years, while millions faced harassment through politically motivated cases.

"Before this large gathering and the media, I want to state that every word and every letter of the July Charter signed at the South Plaza will, Inshallah, be implemented one by one," he said.

The prime minister also alleged that despite repeated clarifications, some political parties have been attempting to mislead the public both inside and outside parliament.

He noted that the interim government had formed 11 commissions covering areas such as the constitution, judiciary, administration, health, women and law and order.

Tarique said the government aims to undertake development initiatives such as farmer cards, family cards, canal excavation and afforestation, alongside creating employment opportunities for unemployed youth at home and abroad.

He also announced plans for infrastructure and education development, including implementation of the Bogura-Sirajganj railway line and expansion of agricultural exports. "We are working on how cargo aircraft can operate from our airports so that locally produced agricultural goods can be exported abroad," he said.

He added that work on Bogura University would begin soon with plans to integrate agriculture, engineering and medical education.

"These initiatives would require public support for successful implementation," he said.

Earlier in the day, the prime minister attended multiple programmes in Bagbari, including canal excavation, inauguration of a vaccination campaign, distribution of family cards and an announcement to upgrade Bogura municipality into a city corporation.