Bangladesh Nationalist Party chair Tarique Rahman on Thursday called on voters to remain vigilant to prevent any attempt to foil the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections.

He alleged that ‘a vested quarter’ was conspiring to disrupt the polls.

‘In the past 16 years, we have seen so-called night-time elections, gayebi elections and “ami-dummy” elections… Those who snatched peoples’ voting rights are gone, but another quarter has started plotting from behind the scenes to foil the polls,’ he said.

He was speaking as the chief guest at an election rally at the historic Madrassah Maidan in Rajshahi city at 2:00pm.

With this rally, the BNP’s three-day electioneering in the country’s northern region began on Thursday.

Tarique said, ‘Tell everyone you meet to stay alert on February 12 so that no one  can foil the election. If people remain vigilant on that day, then the country will belong to the people again from February 13.’

Referring to recent incidents of violence in different parts of the country, Tarique also said that the interim government must ensure proper and impartial investigations.

‘If there are any divisions or problems anywhere, our position is clear: we want peace in the country. We want to live in harmony among Muslims, Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists,’ he added.

Tareque placed strong emphasis on regional development, particularly water management and agriculture in the drought-prone northwest.

He said that the region was facing acute water scarcity in major rivers, canals and irrigation channels, which was affecting farming and livelihoods.

‘Rajshahi has been known for the Padma, but there is now hardly any water. The canals linked to the river are also drying up. This crisis must be addressed,’ he said.

He pledged that his party would prioritise construction of the Padma Barrage to ensure water retention, irrigation support, and ecological balance in Rajshahi, Natore, and Chapainawabganj.

Tarique further promised re-excavation of canals and revival of river flows to restore agricultural productivity in the Barind tract, saying that the Barind Multipurpose Development Project would be reactivated and strengthened.

Referring to Chapainawabganj’s mango industry, he said that the absence of modern cold storage facilities was causing heavy post-harvest losses.

‘Mega projects alone do not change people’s lives. We need people-oriented development – for farmers, workers, women and youth,’ he told the rally.

Earlier, Tarique Rahman arrived at the Shah Makhdum Airport in Rajshahi at 12:20pm and then visited the shrine of Hazrat Shah Makhdum amid tight security before joining the rally at 1:51pm.

Later at a Naogaon election rally at Atim Field at 6:30pm, Tarique Rahman also called on citizens to remain aware so that they could prevent any manipulation in the upcoming election.

 ‘Although one group that had taken away the people’s voting rights in the past had fled, another group is still active behind the scenes and is attempting to influence the electoral process,’ he said.

He also resented that over the past 16 years certain political actors were absent from mass movements but had maintained covert ties with those in power.

Urging voters to be watchful, he asked them to ‘keep their eyes and ears open’ so that no one could tamper with ballots or influence results unlawfully.

Referring to past elections, Tarique alleged irregularities and warned supporters to guard against any repetition of such incidents.