The prime minister, Tarique Rahman, on Friday alleged that certain quarters were once again plotting to undermine Bangladesh’s democratic progress and warned that fresh attempts were under way to destabilise the country and tarnish its image internationally.

As Bangladesh once again began to move in line with the will of the people and returned to the way of democracy after the February 12 elections, those quarters gradually started new conspiracies, he told a rally marking May Day.

He called on workers and people from all walks of life to safeguard national interests and prevent any conspiracy to destabilise the country.

The prime minister alleged that these actors were now attempting to portray Bangladesh as a controversial state with the aim of isolating the country internationally.

He said that the global community recognised the legitimacy of the current administration, noting that the government was backed by public support and formed through a popular mandate.

Tarique said that the international community was engaging with the government and parliament as they represented the people, adding that global partners were showing increasing interest in investment opportunities in Bangladesh, particularly in sectors that could improve workers’ livelihoods and accelerate economic development.

He told workers that he wished to have his name recorded among them as a worker, adding that he wanted to be part of the effort to build the country.

He also said that he intended to include all members of his cabinet as workers, stressing that while labourers were building the nation, the government aimed to stand beside them and contribute collectively to national development.

The prime minister said that he issued instructions a month ago for quick reopening of the closed factories and another meeting would be held within a week to review the progress.

He said that closed factories across Bangladesh would be brought back into operation in phases.

He stressed the need to create employment opportunities at home and expand job prospects abroad.

The rally was held at Naya Paltan in the city with Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal president Anwar Hossain in the chair.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan and Abdul Moyeen Khan, and senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, among others, addressed the event.

Tarique said that from February 12, the people of Bangladesh once again began a lost democratic journey.

He said that in the past, whenever Bangladesh had moved towards democracy, factories and industries gradually developed across the country.

The prime minister said that on each occasion when the nation embarked on a democratic path, the economy had begun to strengthen.

He further said that previous democratic periods had also seen improvements in the education sector, with learning environments gradually becoming more organised.

Referring to earlier political history, the prime minister said that whenever Bangladesh had pursued democracy, the country, under the leadership of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, had been recognised on the global stage as an ‘emerging tiger’.