Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said that leaders and activists of a political party in Bangladesh, who are known as ‘undercover’ members, had emerged as new tyrants.
In a veiled reference to the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Tarique said that it was deeply painful to witness the emergence of a new oppressor and alleged that the leader of the group had publicly used a highly derogatory and stigmatising term against Bangladeshi women two days earlier.
He said that a conspiracy had begun against the people’s freedom, their rights to vote, and their rights to speak, and that the ‘undercover group’ was behind it.
The BNP chairman made the remarks in separate election rallies in Barishal and Faridpur.
Tarique said that when a political party or its leader’s thinking or ideology developed such vile notions about the mothers and sisters of their own country, nothing good could be expected from them.
He said that that this had been evident during the Liberation War in 1971, when millions of women, mothers, and sisters in Bangladesh were dishonoured due to the controversial role of the ‘undercover’ group.
New Age correspondent from Barishal reported that Tarique, in his speech at Bell’s Park Maidan in the city, said that a person or a political party showing no respect for the mothers and sisters of their own country could never be expected to contribute to Bangladesh’s progress.
The BNP chairman said that recent media reports indicated the group had been producing fake seals and printing ballot papers for their own benefits, while also collecting national identity numbers and mobile payment numbers from vulnerable women.
He said that the group’s claims of establishing honest governance were contradicted by their pre-election unethical activities.
Tarique said that those who lied to cover their crimes could never offer honest rule.
He urged BNP supporters to remain vigilant, ensure voters in their communities stay alert, and prevent anyone from hijacking their rights on February 12.
‘The BNP believes that the people are the source of all power — and our goal is the people — our objective is the people — if we can change the fate of the people, then we have to take this country forward,’ he said.
Regarding the development of Barishal, Tarique said that the BNP would undertake various developmental initiatives, including Bhola-Barishal Bridge, industrialisation of Barishal by using natural gas, employment of manpower and preventing river erosion.
Speaking at a separate rally at the Rajendra College ground in Faridpur, the BNP chairman said that only a government accountable to citizens could solve regional problems and move the country forward.
Outlining the BNP’s plans, he identified river erosion as Faridpur’s most pressing challenge and said that his party would take measures to protect farmland.
He described the greater Faridpur region as agriculture-based, highlighting the potential of the jute sector to support farmers and earn foreign exchange through exports.
Tarique said that the BNP planned to introduce farmer cards to ensure timely access to seeds, fertilisers and inputs, expand industries based on regional strengths to create jobs for educated youth, and promote both agriculture and industry together.
He pledged family cards for households, expanded healthcare services through hospital upgradation and community health workers, and construction of a Padma barrage to address dry-season water shortages.
If the BNP is voted to power in the February 12 polls, it would consider declaring Faridpur a division and upgrading the town to a city corporation, provided these measures help address local problems, he added.
