British PM echoes Tarique Rahman’s ‘I have a plan’ vision: Minister

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon yesterday (17 July) said the newly elected British prime minister recently placed his ideas for his country, echoing Bangladesh Premier Tarique Rahman’s vision, ‘I have a plan,’ that was uttered before the nation soon after returning home from London following Sheikh Hasina’s downfall.

The hallmark of effective statesmanship is a clear and credible plan for the future, said the minister, adding that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented his roadmap for governing Bangladesh before taking office through the declaration, ‘I have a plan’.

The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a commemorative meeting organised by the social organisation ‘Apon’ at Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association, marking the birth and death anniversaries of Mahatma Bhegai Halder.

“A little while ago, I saw Britain’s newly elected prime minister beginning his speech by saying, ‘I have a plan.’ It reminded me that the philosophy of plan-based leadership which Tarique Rahman presented to the people of Bangladesh is now being reflected in the same language to present a vision for the future to the public,” he said.

He added that when a statesman presents a clear plan before the nation, people are able to see the country’s future within that plan and place their trust in that leadership.

The minister said the people of Bangladesh placed their confidence in the state vision and action plan announced through Tarique Rahman’s ‘I Have a Plan’ initiative and therefore gave overwhelming support to him and his party.

He further said that one of the fundamental principles of Tarique Rahman’s plan is to ensure equal rights for all citizens regardless of religion, race, language, ethnicity, or culture, while preserving communal harmony.

He noted that Mahatma Bhegai Haldar had likewise promoted humanitarian values and communal harmony throughout his life.

The minister firmly stated that Bangladesh will continue to move forward as a country of peaceful coexistence among diverse communities, and that there will be no place for divisive politics.

He said that those who seek to establish the dominance of a single religion, a single culture, or a single political party stand against the laws of nature, humanity, and civilisation.

The government, he said, remains firmly committed to ensuring equal rights for all citizens of Bangladesh regardless of religion, race, language, or ethnic identity.

At the event, distinguished students and eminent individuals were honoured with awards. The meeting was chaired by Sachindra Nath Haldar, President of Apon, Dhaka