Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday issued a stern warning that anyone attempting to manipulate, intimidate, or conspire around the February 12 election would be met with a strong and uncompromising response from the people.

Without mentioning by the name, he alleged that a party with many faces remained engaged in conspiracies across the country to mislead and intimidate voters ahead of the nearing election.

Speaking at an election rally at Nilphamari, Tarique said that those who had long deprived people of their right to speak and vote have fled the country, but some of their ‘co-travellers’ remained inside Bangladesh.

He described this group as chameleon-like, accusing them of being involved in  various conspiracies in different areas.

Tarique said that this group was attempting to create confusion and fear among the general public.

He alleged that they were approaching women to collect their National Identity card numbers and bKash mobile financial service numbers, with the intention of misleading them.

Tarique also claimed that members of different minority and religious communities were being threatened in various ways.

The BNP chair said that the conspirators had resorted to such tactics because they had realised that the people of Bangladesh had decided to vote in favour of the paddy sheaf, the BNP’s electoral symbol, in the coming polls.

He warned that legal action would be taken against anyone who would attempt to intimidate or mislead voters.

During the rally, Tarique also laid out a series of promises on national reconstruction and regional development if the BNP forms the government after the election.

He said that one of the new government’s top priorities would be to begin work on the Teesta Barrage Master Plan as soon as possible, with the aim of restoring greenery and water resources in the northern region.

Plans were also announced to expand the Export Processing Zone and establish new factories in Nilphamari and Syedpur, transforming the areas into an industrial hub and addressing unemployment.

Tarique pledged to gradually upgrade Syedpur Airport into an international airport to boost business activities and facilitate the arrival of international patients seeking treatment at a hospital proposed by China.

He also promised to establish a medical college in Nilphamari, improve schools and colleges, and ensure minimum healthcare facilities for all citizens. On economic and social welfare fronts, he announced plans to empower women by introducing family cards for all mothers and housewives.

To support farmers, Tarique said that the BNP government would introduce Krishi cards, enabling easier access to agricultural loans, seeds, fertilisers and pesticides.

He also pledged to waive agricultural loans up to Tk10,000, including interest, for farmers across the country.

Addressing religious communities, he said that the government, if the BNP was voted to power, would provide official state recognition and financial support to mosque imams, khateebs and muezzins, as well as religious leaders of other faiths, to ensure they can live with dignity.

On employment, governance and security issues, Tarique said that training centres would be set up to develop a skilled youth workforce capable of starting businesses or securing jobs abroad.

He said that governance would be based on merit and competence, rather than religion, caste or political identity.

Tarique pledged to ensure a secure environment where women would be able to travel safely, businesses could operate without fear, and every citizen would get access to basic healthcare.

He also promised that the elected representatives would remain in their respective constituencies over the next five years, focusing on local development and continuous public service.

Earlier in the day, at an election rally at the Thakurgaon Government High School field, Tarique sought public support for the sheaf of paddy symbol, calling on the people to help build a prosperous Bangladesh.

He said that the BNP had come forward to work with the people’s support, love, and strength to reconstruct the country.

Expressing solidarity with the demands made by the Thakurgaon residents, he mentioned that Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had informed him that progress on the local airport project had advanced significantly.

Tarique said that if the BNP formed the government after the February 12 election, they would inaugurate the airport as soon as possible.

He also pledged that, if elected, the BNP would establish a sugar mill, a silk factory, and a tea industry in Thakurgaon and Panchagarh to create employment opportunities.