BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday urged the residents of Noakhali to ensure victory of “Sheaf of Paddy” candidates in all constituencies within the region.
Addressing an election rally at the Feni Pilot School ground, he highlighted his personal ties to the area, noting that his maternal grandfather’s home is in Feni, creating a kinship bond with greater Noakhali.
“I have an emotional connection with Chittagong and a kinship with Feni – that is, Greater Noakhali,” the BNP Chairman told the gathering. He arrived at the Feni venue at 5:55pm after completing a morning rally at Chittagong’s Pologround.
After offering Maghrib prayers, he took the stage to address thousands of party activists and supporters.
During his speech, Tarique Rahman outlined his vision for the region’s development, including the establishment of a medical college and an EPZ in Feni. He specifically focused on improving medical care for rural women and children by introducing healthcare workers.
This initiative, he explained, is modelled after the “Palli Chikitshak” (rural doctor) system introduced during the tenure of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman.
“We want to appoint healthcare workers across the country’s villages to deliver healthcare to the doorsteps of mothers and sisters,” he said, adding that this would ensure they do not have to endure the hardship of travelling to hospitals for minor ailments.
Acknowledging the local expectations, he stated that while the people of Feni, Noakhali, and Lakshmipur have demands from the BNP, the party also has one demand from them: to vote for the “Sheaf of Paddy.”
The rally was chaired by Feni district Convener Sheikh Farid Bahar and moderated by District Member Secretary Alal Uddin Alal. Several BNP candidates addressed the crowd, including Mohammad Shahjahan, Abdul Auyal Mintoo, Abul Khair Bhuiyan, Zainul Abdin Farroque, Zainal Abedin (VP Zainal), Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizam, Rafiqul Alam Majnu, Mohammad Fakhrul Islam, and Shahadat Hossain Selim.
Central BNP leaders present included Rafiqul Islam, Rehana Akter Ranu, Harunur Rashid Harun, Belal Ahmed, Shahabuddin Sabu, Shahana Akter Sanu, Mezbah Uddin Khan, Abdul Latif Jony, Tabith Awal, Abul Taleb, Mashiur Rahman Biplob, Jalal Uddin Mazumder, Nasir Uddin Nasir, and Yasin Ali.
This visit marks Tarique Rahman’s second major campaign tour outside the capital since formal electioneering began in Sylhet on 22 January.
Following the Feni rally, the BNP Chairman was scheduled to address further rallies in Chauddagram, Suagazi, and Daudkandi in Comilla, followed by an event at the Balur Math in Narayanganj.
