BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has called upon the people to remain vigilant against conspiracies that aim to snatch away their voting rights once again. Addressing a massive election rally at the Feni Government Pilot High School field on Sunday evening, he emphasized that while the path to restoring democracy has begun, certain quarters are actively plotting to derail the process.
“For the past 15 years, your right to vote was taken away by force,” Tarique Rahman told the crowd. “Now that the journey to rebuild the foundations of democracy has started, a certain quarter has begun conspiring. I request you all to keep your eyes and ears open. Be alert so that no one can take away your right to vote or your right to speak through these plots.”
Vision for a New Bangladesh
The BNP Chairman, who returned to the country recently after nearly two decades, outlined his party’s vision for governance if they are elected in the upcoming 13th National Parliament election scheduled for February 12. He stressed that the country is the “first and last destination” for all its citizens and must be built through collective effort.
“If the BNP forms the government, we will immediately start working to solve the people’s problems,” he stated. “This country belongs to me, to you, and to everyone. If we cannot build this nation now, our future will be destroyed. To build a better future, we must work together in unity.”
Specific Pledges for Greater Noakhali
During his 25-minute speech—his first at a political rally in Feni in twenty years—Tarique Rahman made several regional commitments:
- Healthcare: He pledged to establish a medical college in Feni. Before the college is fully operational, he promised to deploy community doctors to provide doorstep healthcare to mothers and sisters in the region.
- Industrialization: Citing his family ties to the district (referring to it as his maternal home), he expressed a desire to establish an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Feni to create jobs similar to those in Chattogram.
- Youth Employment: He announced plans to provide vocational training to the youth to facilitate skilled employment opportunities both at home and abroad.
A Call for “Tahajjud-time” Vigilance
In a striking appeal to his supporters regarding election day, Tarique Rahman urged voters to be active from the earliest hours of the morning.
“This time, on election day, even those who do not usually pray Tahajjud must wake up at that time,” he said. “Those who do pray should head to the polling centers right after their prayers. Perform your Fajr prayers in congregation in front of the centers and stand in line by 7:00 AM. Do not return home until the final count is settled.”
Candidates Introduced
The rally, presided over by District BNP Convener Sheikh Farid Bahar, saw the presence of several BNP-nominated candidates from Feni, Noakhali, and Lakshmipur. Tarique Rahman introduced the candidates to the audience, including:
- Abdul Awal Mintu (Feni-3)
- Zainul Abedin Farroque (Noakhali-2)
- Zainal Abedin (VP Zainal) (Feni-2)
- Mahbub Uddin Khokon (Noakhali-1)
- Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie (Lakshmipur-3)
He told the crowd that electing these representatives would ensure accountability, as they would be “forced to answer” to the people for the development of their respective areas.
The rally was part of Tarique Rahman’s intensive election campaign, which began in Sylhet last Thursday and continued through Dhaka and Chattogram. Following the conclusion of his speech at 6:30 PM, he departed by road for Cumilla to continue his campaign trail.
