BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged voters across Bangladesh to cast their ballots for his party’s election symbol, the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’, on 12 February, saying it would send a strong message against autocracy.
“If people respond by stamping the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ on the ballot, the autocrats who took away your rights will get a clear answer,” he said at an election rally at the BSCIC Industrial Park in Sirajganj District.
The BNP chairman said the people have been protesting for the last 16-17 years against injustice and the denial of their rights by autocratic regimes. “If those rights are to be restored, all of you must be vocal on 12 February,” he added.
Speaking about the party’s political philosophy, Tarique Rahman emphasised peaceful coexistence among all religions.
“To us, the most important identity is being a citizen of Bangladesh. Religion or caste is not our priority. People matter most to us,” he said.
He added that BNP values people as human beings and believes that only a government backed by the people can address the real problems of the country.
The rally began at 3pm with a recitation from the Holy Quran. Tarique Rahman reached Sirajganj from Bogura by road around 3:30pm.
During the programme, he introduced BNP candidates from Sirajganj and Pabna districts and urged voters to support them by voting for the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’.
Seeking public cooperation in rebuilding the country, Tarique said there is much work to be done in Sirajganj and Pabna to improve the lives of local residents and develop the region.
“We protested and struggled. Many leaders, activists, and ordinary people sacrificed their lives to bring down autocracy. Now we must build the country together,” he said.
He also outlined plans to address unemployment by establishing new industrial parks across the country, including in the northern region.
Tarique Rahman promised to develop agriculture-based industries, revive the handloom sector, create international markets for handloom products, and set up vocational institutes in the area.
The BNP chairman further said the party would support women and farmers through family cards and farmers’ cards if it comes to power.
The rally was presided over by Sirajganj District BNP President Rumana Mahmud and conducted by its General Secretary Saidur Rahman Bachchu.
BNP Standing Committee Member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, central leaders, and candidates from Sirajganj and Pabna also spoke at the event.
As part of his three-day election campaign in the northern region, Tarique Rahman addressed rallies in Rajshahi, Naogaon, Bogura, Rangpur and Sirajganj. He is also scheduled to attend an election rally in Tangail in the evening before returning to his Gulshan residence.
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