Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday (October 1) alleged that what he described as “autocratic” and “covert” political forces had again joined hands and were working to create instability in the country.He urged people to remain alert against groups seeking to create disorder.The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing a programme at Fulgazi Government Pilot High School ground in Feni, where Family Cards and Farmer Cards were distributed and honorariums were provided to religious service providers.
Tarique Rahman said his government was implementing pledges made before the election, including the Family Card and Farmer Card programmes and financial support for religious service providers.
He said the initiatives were intended to benefit ordinary people and added that the government also wanted to reopen closed factories to create economic opportunities.
Referring to former president Ziaur Rahman’s canal-digging programmes, Tarique Rahman said the BNP’s political agenda was focused on improving people’s livelihoods.
He argued that welfare programmes could not be implemented effectively if political unrest and disorder continued.
Without naming any party, the Prime Minister also criticised political opponents whom he accused of making religious promises before the election.
He further alleged that groups he described as “covert forces” had previously maintained political links with the former government and were now working alongside what he called the “fugitive autocrat”.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated the first phase of the Muhuri-Kohua Flood Control, Drainage and Irrigation Project in Parshuram.
The Tk1,542.16 crore project includes rehabilitation of nearly 68 kilometres of embankments, riverbank protection, re-excavation of rivers and water bodies, and improvements to irrigation infrastructure.
Under Thursday’s programmes, 7,643 farmers across Feni were set to receive printed Farmer Cards, while 510 people in Fulgazi were to receive Family Cards.
Honorariums were also arranged for 238 imams, muezzins, khadims and priests in Fulgazi.
Prime Minister’s Public Administration Adviser Ismail Zabiuallah, Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid and local lawmakers were among those attending the day’s programmes.