BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has called upon the people of the country to prevent vote rigging in the upcoming national election.
He made the remarks at an election rally at Bhawal Rajbari ground in Gazipur while returning to Dhaka from Mymensingh.
Taking the stage at midnight, Tarique Rahman said, “On 12 February, you must go to the polling centres. When will you go? Not after Fajr prayers, but go to your respective polling centres and perform Fajr in congregation there. This way, no one can occupy the place beforehand.”
He added, “You must remain vigilant so that no one conspires to enter the centres early and sit inside. For the past 15–16 years, you have seen how your voting rights have been robbed across Bangladesh, including in this area. This time, do not allow vote rigging.”
Tarique Rahman said the people of Gazipur had already proven their commitment during the July 2024 uprising, when thousands marched to Dhaka from Gazipur. “Therefore, Gazipur has made a huge contribution in restoring democracy and protecting freedom. This contribution must not go in vain.”
Recalling his childhood, he said, “I have a right over the people of Gazipur. This is the same Gazipur, the same Bhawal field where, before the 1971 Liberation War, I used to run and play as a child. We lived in the first red bungalow here — my father, mother, myself, and my younger brother. So, I have a right over the people of Gazipur, and on that basis, I ask you to ensure victory for the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol.”
Referring to the end of autocracy, he said, “The struggle has taken place, the movement has happened, autocracy has been ousted from the country. Now is the time to build the nation, now is the time to change people’s destiny. Therefore, we must work hard, we must remain united. If we stay united, if we work, if we persevere, Insha’Allah we will gradually build the Bangladesh we aspire to.”
He also introduced BNP candidates for Gazipur constituencies and urged voters to support them. The aspirants are Mojibur Rahman (Gazipur-1), M Monjurul Karim Rony (Gazipur-2), SM Rafiqul Islam Bachchu (Gazipur-3), Shah Riazul Hannan (Gazipur-4), and Fazlul Haque Milon (Gazipur-5).
He also outlined plans for Gazipur, including establishing new industries, introducing family cards for women, setting up daycare centres for children in factories, constructing a flyover over the Joydebpur rail crossing to ease traffic congestion, excavating canals, and providing farmer cards for cultivators. He sought votes for BNP’s ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ candidates to implement these plans.
Tarique Rahman said, “To implement my plans, the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ must win. If these candidates are victorious, the canal excavation I mentioned will be done, the flyover I mentioned will be built, the workers’ housing I mentioned will be provided. All these tasks will be accomplished.”
He pledges solutions to gas, and water woes
Later, at 1am, the BNP chairman addressed another election rally at Uttara Eidgah ground in Dhaka, urging residents to vote for BNP candidate SM Jahangir in Dhaka-18 under the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol.
He noted that the special contribution of Uttara residents to the student-people’s uprising of 5 August 2024 will be written in golden letters in history.
He also pledged initiatives to solve gas and water problems in Uttara, establish a government hospital, eliminate waterlogging, and ease traffic congestion.
“Everyone must work together in unity in the upcoming election,” Tarique Rahman also said. “If united, all problems can be solved. Therefore, in the 12 February election, votes must be transformed into strength,” he added.
Over the past 17 years, people have heard many grand stories, but the problems have not been resolved. He conveyed the message that the country’s development can only be achieved by solving its problems.
After the rally, Tarique Rahman left Uttara for his residence in Gulshan at 1:20am. He had begun the day’s election rallies in Mymensingh in the afternoon, accompanied by his wife, Zubaida Rahman.
