BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that the country’s politics must be principle-based, adding that instead of mutual mudslinging among political parties and leadership, there must be competition in development and solving problems.
He made the remark during an exchange of views with the newly elected executive committee leaders of the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) at the BNP Chairman’s office in Gulshan on Wednesday.
“Instead of mudslinging, there should be constructive discussion and debate on what policies each will have for development and problem-solving and how they will be implemented. Only then will the country move forward economically,” he said.
Outlining BNP’s vision for rebuilding the Bangladesh of tomorrow and state governance, Tarique Rahman said that to build Dhaka as a livable city, BNP will work by valuing the opinions of domestic and foreign professional experts to solve all civic problems, including traffic congestion. He also outlined various plans and future frameworks, including family cards and agriculture cards, to strengthen education, health, agricultural production, and to establish the country on a strong economic foundation.
Mentioning the plan to build satellite cities around Dhaka, he said these satellite cities will have train links with Dhaka, where travel will be possible within 45 minutes to an hour. This will significantly reduce the pressure on the capital. He also informed about plans to make Old Dhaka more livable.
Mentioning the plan to develop the Buriganga River on the model of London’s Thames River, Tarique Rahman said that if the polythene accumulated at the riverbed can be removed and dredged, the Buriganga can return to its previous normal state.
He said that if given the opportunity to form the government, BNP will make the country self-sufficient in food by improving the overall management of agriculture.
Stating that the time has come to turn Bangladesh into a humane state, Tarique Rahman said that every citizen has the right to receive their due dignity.
Tarique Rahman added that centering the election, members of some parties are collecting bKash numbers from women in villages, which is highly condemnable. Everyone must work together to build a beautiful Bangladesh where the people whom the public votes for will come to power.
Regarding the family card, he said that if BNP gets the responsibility of governing the state, everyone will get a family card. However, he hopes that primarily members of poor families will use this card, and those who do not need it or are well-off will choose not to use it themselves.
Regarding independent media, he said that if BNP comes to power, the media will enjoy full independence and the government will work to protect journalists.
Praising the DRU’s neutrality profusely, the BNP chairman said that even if journalists support a party, it is best not to reflect that in their work.
He said that even though there was no democracy in the country in the past, the DRU has been holding regular elections every year on 30 November, which deserves praise. For this, he extended sincere greetings and thanks to the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity executive committee.
The organisation’s executive committee members were led by DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohail.
Present at the time were BNP Chairman’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibli, senior journalist and convener of ‘Amra BNP Paribar’ Atiqur Rahman Rumn, DRU Vice President Mehedi Azad Masum, Joint Secretary Md. Zafar Iqbal, Finance Secretary Niaz Mahmud Sohail, Organizing Secretary M M Jasim, Office Secretary Rasim Molla, Publicity and Publications Secretary Mijan Chowdhury, Information Technology and Training Secretary Mahmud Sohail, Sports Secretary Omar Faruq Rubel, Cultural Secretary Monowar Hossain, Hospitality Secretary Aminul Haque Bhuiyan, Welfare Secretary Rafique Mrida, and executive members Md. Akhtar Hossain, Ali Azam, Mahfuz Sadi, Al-Amin Azad, Suman Chowdhury, and Md. Mazharul Islam.
At the end of the meeting, the DRU invited Tarique Rahman to attend the Family Reunion event on 30 January with his family. At that time, the organisation’s president and general secretary presented him with a DRU commemorative token and publications.
