Women would be made self-reliant if BNP voted to power, says Tarique at Barishal rally
Local BNP leaders and activists have been describing the turnout as a "historic milestone," stating that the scale of the gathering is perhaps the largest the city has seen in a while.
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today (4 February) took the stage at the historic Bells Park in Barishal to address a massive rally, ending a 20-year-long absence from the southern division.
The air was thick with slogans as thousands of activists and supporters erupted in cheers when the party chief appeared on the dais shortly after noon.
Tarique Rahman arrived in Barishal from Dhaka via helicopter at 12pm. Following a brief reception, he headed directly to the rally venue where a "human sea" had been gathering since early morning.
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The visit marks Tarique Rahman's first trip to Barishal since May 2006, when he visited the region as the then party's senior joint secretary general.
Local BNP leaders and activists have been describing the turnout as a "historic milestone," stating that the scale of the gathering is perhaps the largest the city has seen in a while.
Addressing the crowd, the BNP Chairman said women would be made self-reliant if his party is voted to power in the national election.
He said mothers and daughters would receive primary healthcare services at home without visiting hospitals for basic treatment.
Tarique Rahman also pledged a series of measures to support farmers, including the construction of cold storage facilities, to ensure fair prices for agricultural produce.
He said BNP would introduce an agriculture card to provide farmers with seeds and fertilisers according to their needs, reports UNB.
Loans amounting to Tk 10,000 taken by farmers would be waived, he promised.
Tarique said industries would be set up using gas from Bhola, creating jobs for local people and alongside contributing to regional economic development.
Ziauddin Sikder, member secretary of Barishal City BNP, noted yesterday (3 February) that the party had made unprecedented preparations for this event, even considering the use of technology to accurately measure the massive turnout.
To accommodate the large number of senior leaders and the surge of supporters, the permanent stage at Bells Park had been expanded with additional wooden structures.
High expectations
The rally carries immense emotional and political weight for the people of the southern region, who have high expectations for development.
Advocate Mazibor Rahman Sarwar, adviser to the BNP Chairperson and a veteran leader from Barishal, He recalled the contributions of the late president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia to the Barishal division.
Mazibor noted that as their successor, Tarique Rahman's leadership has revitalised local activists who have high expectations for the development of the south.
"We believe that if he becomes prime minister, the southern region will see a complete transformation," Sarwar added.
Despite the massive scale of the event, the visit is scheduled to be brief.
After delivering his speech to the people of the south, Tarique Rahman is expected to depart for Faridpur later to continue his electoral engagements ahead of the 12 February elections.
