Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday pledged that the Teesta Master Plan would be implemented regardless of any pressures or obstacles if Jamaat comes to power.
“While the Teesta was originally intended to benefit the people of northern Bangladesh, poor planning and neglect have turned it into a curse for the region. Implementing the Teesta Master Plan is the only solution to reverse this situation,” he said.
Dr Shafiqur Rahman made the remarks during an election rally at the Teesta Helipad Ground in Lalmonirhat.
He also vowed to transform the Teesta into a living river and develop northern Bangladesh into a centre of agriculture and industry.
“Insha’Allah, the Teesta Master Plan will be implemented at any cost. The interests of the people will come first, and any obstacle that undermines these interests will not be tolerated,” he added.
The Jamaat Ameer said, “The Teesta will no longer remain a dry riverbed. Life will be restored to it, and it will become the economic hub of northern Bangladesh.”
He outlined plans to make the region a centre for agricultural and industrial production, capable of meeting domestic demand and exporting to international markets, and called on supporters to pray for the realisation of this goal.
Referring to the upcoming national election, he said the polls would put an end to opportunistic politics. “People want change, and that change can only come through justice-based governance,” he said.
During the rally, Dr Shafiqur Rahman formally handed over Jamaat’s election symbol, the scales, to candidates from seven constituencies in Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari districts, and urged voters to support the party in the upcoming election.
The Teesta Helipad Ground was packed well before the rally, with thousands of leaders, activists and supporters creating a festive atmosphere. Dr Shafiqur arrived on stage at around 1 pm.
The event was presided over by Lalmonirhat District Jamaat Ameer and Lalmonirhat-3 candidate Advocate Abu Taher, while District Jamaat Secretary Firoz Haider Lovelu conducted the programme.
Other party candidates present included Lalmonirhat-1 candidate Anwarul Islam Raju, Nilphamari District Jamaat Ameer and Nilphamari-1 candidate Principal Abdul Sattar, Nilphamari-2 candidate Advocate Al-Faruk, Nilphamari-3 candidate Obaidullah Salafi, and Nilphamari-4 candidate Hafez Maulana Muntakim.
.jpg "Former minister, Awami League leader Tofail Ahmed dies")
