BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has claimed that his party is the only credible force capable of safeguarding the country’s independence and sovereignty.Joining virtually from London as the chief guest at BNP’s “Plan for Rebuilding the Nation” program held at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Farmgate on Tuesday, he said:“Do you remember the South Talpatti Island? BNP founder, the late President Ziaur Rahman, risked his life to drive out Indian forces and bring the island under Bangladesh’s control. It was BNP that took the maritime boundary issue to the international arena to secure the country’s rightful share of waters. Had Ziaur Rahman not assumed leadership through the Sipahi-Janata uprising in 1975, the country’s independence and sovereignty would have been lost.”
Tarique Rahman further said,
“Only BNP has a proven track record of tackling corruption. Yet, propaganda was spread claiming Bangladesh became the champion of corruption during BNP’s rule. Transparency International (TI) began publishing its Corruption Perceptions Index in 2001 — based on the situation under the Awami League government prior to the October 2001 election that brought BNP to power. During BNP’s tenure, the index actually improved. It was BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia who established the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), at a time when no prior approval was required to investigate government officials. Today, that law has been changed by the current government.”
He emphasized,
“BNP has repeatedly freed the nation from the grip of corruption. If BNP is voted into power again, corruption will be curbed at any cost. Law and order will be significantly improved because effective governance is impossible without combating corruption and ensuring security.”
Tarique Rahman also said that no other party except BNP has a true plan for building a self-reliant Bangladesh.
“Flowery speeches cannot run the state. They cannot generate employment or create economic strength. Effective planning is essential.”
He added that BNP has already announced a 31-point framework for rebuilding the state, which includes farmer’s farm cards, women’s family cards, and health cards.
“Through these cards, a farmer or a marginal village woman will be able to build economic self-reliance for herself and her family.”
In his closing remarks, Tarique Rahman urged party leaders and activists:
“Our planning phase is over; now implementation begins. Spread across every corner of the country, encourage the people to vote for BNP, and tell them what BNP will deliver. If we keep the people united and remain united ourselves, every conspiracy will fail.”