BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that members of the “Gupto” organisation have emerged as new oppressors. Their plan is to mislead the people and keep them under control, he alleged.
He said, a party whose leaders do not respect mothers and sisters cannot be expected to uphold people’s dignity. “They are widely known as Gupto,” he said.
The BNP chief made the remarks while addressing an election rally at Bell’s Park ground in Barishal on Wednesday.
Issuing a warning, he said, “After the election, for the next five years, you will be clinging to the feet of the people.”
He added, “They (Jamaat-e-Islami) have used disgraceful words about the women of Bangladesh. They have no respect whatsoever for mothers and sisters. Their plan is to manipulate the people after 12 February. We must remain cautious about them.”
He assured that if elected and forming the government, agricultural loans up to Tk10,000 will be waived. The BNP leader said, “This Bangladesh belongs to the people, and the country will be run according to the people’s verdict.”
Referring to Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman’s post on X about women, he said, “They claim the ID was hacked, but experts say it was not. Those who lie to cover up crimes cannot deliver good governance.”
“For the past 15 years we have witnessed false development. There has been no real improvement in the fate of the people,” he added.
Speaking about the problems of Barishal, he said, “River erosion is the biggest problem in Barishal, embankments must be built. Many tasks remain unfinished, and to complete them the people must make the right decision.”
He added, “Many initiatives were started during BNP’s tenure but could not be completed. A lot of work has piled up and must be resolved. If BNP wins, it wants to work on solving these problems.”
The BNP chief said, “The country cannot move forward by confining women indoors. Men and women must work shoulder to shoulder; otherwise, it will not be possible to build the nation we aspire to.”
At the rally, BNP candidates from all 21 constituencies of Barishal division were present. From early morning, party leaders and activists from different districts and upazilas of Barishal began gathering at the venue to catch a glimpse of their leader.
Ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election, he has been travelling throughout the country from north to south, east to west, holding rallies in various districts.
In line with BNP’s 31-point agenda, he has been making a range of promises, with women and youth given priority through commitments such as employment opportunities, unemployment allowances, and family and farmer cards.
