Prime minister Tarique Rahman has urged the people of the country to remain vigilant, alleging that ‘clandestine forces’ that do not believe in Bangladesh’s existence and independence are conspiring to create unrest by misleading the public.
‘Today, we sense the smell of conspiracy… You must remain united and alert against these conspirators,’ he said while addressing a public rally organised by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s Bogura district unit at the Altafunnessa Playground on Monday.
He also unveiled the plaque of Bogura City Corporation, marking its official launch as the 13th city corporation in the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, he said that the long-standing demand of people had been fulfilled through the creation of the city corporation. ‘You have had this demand for a long time. Today, with the establishment of the city corporation, that demand has been fulfilled.’
Before the inauguration of the city corporation, the prime minister unveiled the newly constructed building of the District Bar Association on the court premises and inaugurated the e-bail bond system in Bogura and six other district courts.
He also inaugurated the new building of Bogura Press Club and the reconstruction work on Baitur Rahman Central Mosque.
This is Tarique Rahman’s first visit to Bogura since assuming office on February 17.
He also inaugurated the excavation work on the Chowkidah Canal at Nasipur and the second phase of the Family Card scheme at his ancestral village Bagbari under Gabtali in the district, distributing cards among 911 beneficiaries.
Tarique Rahman, also the BNP chairman, said that these forces had historically attempted to mislead the nation at different critical times, including before and after the independence. ‘These clandestine forces tried to confuse people during the election using similar tactics. They have once again started spreading confusion.’
Despite repeatedly making it clear that the July National Charter – as signed by political parties at the South Plaza of Parliament – would be implemented fully word by word, some political parties have started making various
remarks both inside and outside the parliament to mislead people, mentioned the PM.
‘You must all remain alert against them. During the Liberation War, we saw how they tried to mislead the people. In the 1986 election, we saw how they attempted to confuse the nation. In 1996, we again saw how they joined hands with autocratic forces to mislead the people. And in 2008 as well, we saw how they aligned with the 1/11 regime to confuse people,’ Tarique Rahman said.
He said that BNP founder the late president Ziaur Rahman, a son of Bogura, had ‘proclaimed the country’s independence’.
‘Today, we see those who are trying to mislead the people and create confusion over the July Charter. They did not believe in the independence of this country and they did not believe in its very existence. Can those who do not believe in the existence of this country be trusted? They cannot be trusted,’ he said.
The PM said that some political parties were trying to mislead people and create chaos across the country just as fallen autocrat Sheikh Hasina once said that she would not allow Khaleda Zia’s government to stay in peace even for a minute.
‘The same ghost has now taken hold of this group. You can see how they talk about agitation and try to turn personal incidents into political issues – just like the Dinajpur Yasmin incident, where a personal tragedy was given a political colour and unrest was created, leading to a 172-day hartal. You surely remember that,’ he said.
Referring to a recent incident of Mymensingh, Tarique Rahman said that it was a minor personal matter involving a relationship and marriage between a young couple, along with family disputes.
He, however, claimed that the same incident was deliberately given a political colour by a certain quarter in an attempt to create unrest in the country.
The prime minister mentioned that those who were trying to mislead people over reforms, the July Charter and the constitution did not speak about women’s freedom or development.
Referring to a pre-election remark by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami amir Shafiqur Rahman opposing the Family Card scheme, he said, ‘Did you not see what they were saying during the election – “keep your family card?” You remember that, don’t you? They ignore the work that serves the people. Instead, they are now spreading confusion to secure power through conspiracy.’
Calling upon all to stay united, the PM said that the country’s people had given BNP the mandate to implement its plans and the July Charter.
‘It is now time to fulfil those commitments… I am your brother, your son. We have already started working to implement the plans we presented before the election. If I can do this as a son of Bogura, it will be a matter of pride for all of you,’ he told the crowd.
Tarique Rahman announced that work on the Bogura-Sirajganj rail line will begin soon.
He also said that the government had started working to export agricultural products from Bogura and the northern region.
The prime minister highlighted several initiatives undertaken after the formation of the government, including Family Card, Farmers’ Card, waiver of agricultural loans up to Tk 10,000, monthly allowances for imams and religious leaders, tree plantation drives, canal excavation programmes and creating employment opportunities at home and abroad, noting that the government is committed to implementing electoral pledges.
