Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (16 May) urged people to remain alert to what he described as attempts by vested interests to spread confusion in the name of politics.
“A section is trying to spread confusion in the name of politics. If anyone wants to create confusion in the name of politics, if anyone wants to create anarchy in the name of politics, will you remain silent? None of us will remain silent,” he said while addressing a ‘Family Card’ distribution programme at the Chandpur Government College ground this afternoon.
Tarique said he had grown up seeing politics as a means of excavating canals, increasing agricultural production, setting up new mills and factories, creating jobs, ensuring healthcare and guaranteeing people’s security, adding that this was the politics his party believed in.
He said the programmes taken by BNP were aimed at improving the lives of working people across the country.
The prime minister said his party carried out movements for the people, during which countless Bangladeshis had sacrificed their lives and suffered injuries.
Drawing a comparison with the 1971 Liberation War, he said just as the country had achieved independence in 1971, the 2024 movement freed the nation from autocratic rule, and now it is time to rebuild the country and change people’s lives.
Tarique said his party’s politics is about changing people’s fate and building the nation.
“We must remain alert so that no one can obstruct this politics. We say ‘we will work and build the country, Bangladesh first’. Let this be our pledge at today’s rally. Let us move forward with the politics for building the country and changing people’s lives in the days ahead,” he said.
The programme was organised by the Ministry of Social Welfare.
Apart from Chandpur, the prime minister also inaugurated ‘Family Card’ distribution programme in 20 other districts simultaneously through videoconferencing.
At the beginning of the programme, the national anthem and later the party anthem were played.
The prime minister handed over Family Cards to 10 women beneficiaries, including Hasina Khatun, Sohagi Akhter, Fatema Khatun, Amena Khatun, Moseda Begum, Monowara Begum, Mahmuda Khatun, Ruma Akhter, Nazma Begum and Taslima.
As soon as he pressed a laptop button, cash assistance of Tk2,500 was sent to 15,000 women beneficiaries each in Chandpur and 20 other districts.
Thousands of leaders, activists and supporters of BNP, as well as common people, attended the programme, turning the venue into a huge gathering.
Tarique also expressed positive support for local demands, including the establishment of an export processing zone and a science and technology university in Chandpur.
He said people want stability and peace in the country. “Some people are creating unnecessary controversy. I want to clearly say before you today that the people gave us a mandate in the February 12 election for the promises we made. We have already started working to implement those promises with the people beside us.”
“If we can gradually implement these promises, people’s lives will improve,” the prime minister said.
Social Welfare, and Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof AZM Zahid Hossain chaired the programme.
Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin, Chandpur-1 MP and district BNP President Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik, Chandpur-2 MP Jalal Ahmed, reserved seat MP Rashed Begum Hira, Chandpur Zila Parishad Administrator AKM Salim Ullah Selim and Social Welfare Secretary Mohammad Abu Yusuf, among others, spoke at the programme.
Family Card beneficiaries Ruma Akhter and Monowara Begum also expressed their feelings, praising the prime minister’s initiative.
Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminnur Rashid, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun and local party leaders were also present.
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