BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday pledged a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and strict enforcement of law and order if his party returns to power, saying public safety must be ensured so people can live without fear.

“Today, in front of hundreds of thousands of people, I want to say clearly that under the plans we have taken, anyone who breaks the law or tries to obstruct these plans through corruption will not be spared,” he said, addressing a massive rally at the Polo Ground in Chattogram.

Tarique arrived in Chattogram on Saturday night on his first visit to the port city after nearly 21 years. From early morning, party leaders and supporters marched in colourful processions, thronging the field by 10:00am and spilling onto surrounding roads.

Taking the stage around noon, he spoke of his emotional ties to the city, recalling that his father, late president Ziaur Rahman, declared independence from Chattogram in 1971, and that his mother, Khaleda Zia, was recognised there as a national leader.

Introducing BNP candidates, he sought votes for them and said, “If we cannot control law and order, none of our plans will succeed, no matter how many plans we take. To implement these plans, we must strictly focus on two issues -- corruption and security.

“An offender is an offender in the eyes of the law, whoever they are. Action will be taken under the country’s laws.”

At another rally at the Central Eidgah ground in Daudkandi upazila of Cumilla at 12:45am today, Tarique warned party leaders and activists to remain careful about wrongdoings. 

“You have seen in the past that when the BNP was in power, some of our leaders and activists were involved in unethical acts that caused sufferings to people. We handed them over to the law. Do you remember? So BNP leaders and activists must remain careful. 

“If anyone is found acting beyond the law, they will face legal action. There will be nothing you can do. I will also be unable to do anything,” he said.

At the Chattogram rally, remembering the martyrs of the July uprising, he said democratic and economic rights had been eroded over the past 15 years. He warned of new conspiracies to take these rights away.

He said although many allegations and criticisms can be made against rival political parties, such things do not bring any real benefit to the people.

“If we criticise only for the sake of criticism, will it help ordinary people? It will not. If we only keep criticising, will it fill people’s stomachs? It will not,” he said.

DEVELOPMENT PLEDGES

Tarique said Khaleda Zia’s earlier plan to turn Chattogram into a commercial capital would be completed if BNP forms the government, creating jobs through new Export Processing Zones.

He promised a nationwide canal-digging programme, which he said would help alleviate waterlogging in Chattogram.

A safe environment will also be created in Chattogram and other parts of Bangladesh so that people can do business easily and without fear, the BNP chief said.

He also promised to bring changes to different levels of education to help the youth get jobs.

Tarique said BNP wants to deliver healthcare services to every doorstep, especially for women and children, by appointing 1 lakh healthcare workers.

To make women financially independent, Tarique said if the BNP can form the government, the party will deliver “family cards” to women.

He said farmers will receive loan facilities and other benefits through the “farmers cards” so that they can become financially self-reliant.

Seeking votes, he said only a BNP victory on February 12 would make these changes possible.

“If you stand by BNP and make BNP victorious with the Sheaf of Paddy in the election, only then will we be able to bring these changes. Are you with us?”

“Yes!” the crowd replied.

Later in the day, Tarique addressed a rally in Feni, where he pledged to establish a medical college and provide training and language education for youths seeking overseas employment.

Urging voters in greater Noakhali to ensure BNP’s victory, he said restoring democracy through the ballot would bring back accountability and local solutions.

‘GUARD POLLING STATIONS’

At another rally on Chouddagram High School ground in Cumilla in the evening, Tarique instructed party leaders and activists to remain alert to prevent fraud until the end of voting.

“You must guard the ballot boxes and the polling stations so that no one can conspire with the voters.”

He also advised senior party leaders and activists to offer Tahajjud prayers and then go to the polling stations and perform Fajr prayers in front of the centres.

He said some people were questioning the BNP’s card-based aid plans because they have no experience of running the country. “Why would I deceive the people if I knew that it would cause me losses? Will the people trust me anymore if I deceive them?” he asked.

He clarified that through “family cards”, the BNP plans to provide assistance for seven to 10 days a month, not the entire month. “We never said we would give everything at once. We will do it gradually and move forward step by step.”

At another rally at Suwagazi Digbajir ground in Cumilla at 10:30pm, Tarique said an EPZ would be built in the district to create jobs.

‘CALL ME BHAIYA’

Earlier in the morning, Tarique held an interactive session with students titled “The Plan: Youth Policy Talk with Tarique Rahman” at a hotel in the port city, attended by around 350 students.

When a student addressed him as “Sir”, he asked to be called “Bhaiya”, drawing applause.

He pledged to introduce student loans for higher studies abroad, including support for visa and related costs.

On indigenous rights and hill region tensions, Tarique said all citizens, regardless of region or identity, should enjoy equal rights and opportunities based on merit.

He proposed limiting quotas mainly to persons with disabilities and ensuring merit-based recruitment elsewhere.

“As we have said before, limited quotas, say around five percent, can be kept for people with disabilities. But in all other cases, recruitment or access to opportunities should be based on merit and qualifications alone. Whether from the plains or the hills, the same principle should apply to everyone,” he said.

He also said the National Identity Card system should be fully digitised so citizens can obtain NIDs from home, which would reduce corruption and complications.

[FM Mizanur Rahaman and Dwaipayan Barua also contributed to the report.]