Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has described the upcoming February 12 national election as a “decisive moment” to reclaim the ownership of Bangladesh by its people. He said BNP is firmly committed to ensuring the political and economic empowerment of citizens and pledged wide-ranging reforms and welfare initiatives if elected to power. Tarique Rahman made these remarks on Monday (February 9) in a special address to the nation, where he outlined the party’s election manifesto, assessed the current political situation, and presented BNP’s vision for building a future democratic state.
Tribute to Martyrs and Movement Background
At the beginning of his speech, Tarique Rahman expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah and paid tribute to those who lost their lives during the struggle to restore democracy over the past decade and a half. Referring to the student–mass uprising of 2024, he said more than 1,400 people were martyred during the movement.
“We cannot allow the dreams of the martyrs to go unfulfilled. Our goal is to build a just, secure, and humane Bangladesh envisioned by those who sacrificed their lives,” he said.
Promise of 10 Million Jobs and Unemployment Allowance
Making major announcements for the country’s youth, Tarique Rahman said a BNP-led government would create 10 million new jobs at home and abroad over the next five years. He emphasized the expansion of the IT sector, freelancing, and cottage industries as key drivers of employment.
He also pledged a special financial allowance for educated unemployed graduates, stating that those holding bachelor’s degrees would receive unemployment benefits for six months to one year until they secure jobs.
Women’s Empowerment and “Family Card”
Highlighting the importance of women’s participation in development, Tarique Rahman said women make up half of the country’s population and cannot be excluded from national progress.
BNP plans to introduce a “Family Card” issued in the name of the female head of each household. Under this initiative, low-income families would receive 2,500 taka per month or equivalent food assistance. He also announced plans to establish day-care centers for working women and introduce specialized electric transport services to ensure safe mobility.
“Farmers Card” for Agricultural Support
To protect farmers’ interests, Tarique Rahman announced the introduction of a “Farmers Card”, under which farmers would receive direct financial and technological assistance.
“Saving farmers means saving the country,” he said, adding that fair wages for laborers and safe working conditions would be ensured under a BNP government.
Restoring “Faith in Almighty Allah” in the Constitution
On religious values, Tarique Rahman said the constitutional phrase “absolute trust and faith in Almighty Allah,” originally incorporated by late President Ziaur Rahman, was later removed and would be restored if BNP comes to power.
He also pledged state-sponsored financial honorariums for imams, khatibs, and muezzins to recognize their social contributions.
Plans for Administration and Expatriates
Addressing governance reforms, Tarique Rahman promised to depoliticize the public administration and ensure recruitment based strictly on merit and competence. He said a new pay scale for government employees would be announced in due course.
For expatriate Bangladeshis, he announced the introduction of a “Expatriate Card,” aimed at ensuring dignity and security abroad. The card would help eliminate harassment at airports and provide special facilities for investment in Bangladesh.
Learning From Past Mistakes
In a conciliatory note, Tarique Rahman expressed sincere regret for unintentional mistakes made by BNP in the past. He said the party has learned from its experiences and is committed to building a better future.
“We want to move forward by learning from past mistakes. A BNP government will adopt a zero-tolerance policy against corruption,” he said.
Concluding his address, Tarique Rahman reiterated BNP’s commitment to building an inclusive Bangladesh, stating, “We want to build Bangladesh with everyone.”