BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has launched the election campaign for the party’s ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol from his in‑laws’ home in Sylhet.
He started the campaign from his in‑laws’ residence in Silam union of South Surma upazila around 1am on Thursday.
While addressing thousands of people there, he said, “Just as Dr Zubaida is your daughter, I too am your son. My appeal remains that on the 12th, the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ will be victorious from this area. I take this pledge from you.”
Earlier, he visited the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) and Hazrat Shah Paran (R) before going to his in‑laws’ house.
At the very beginning of his speech there, Tarique Rahman sought prayers from local elders and residents. He said, “We do politics to change the fate of the people. If the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ wins, we will introduce family cards for ordinary citizens and farmer cards to support cultivators, as promised.”
He added, “Many people from Sylhet live abroad. We will set up advanced training centres in every district so that our youth can become skilled and go overseas. When they secure better‑paid jobs as skilled workers, more remittances will flow into the country, boosting the economy.”
To ensure irrigation facilities for farmers, he announced the revival of the historic canal‑digging programme initiated by former president Ziaur Rahman. He said, “Canal excavation will resume nationwide to improve farmers’ fortunes, bringing revolutionary changes to our agricultural economy.”
Reflecting on the political situation of the past decade and a half, the BNP chairman said, “For the last 16 years, people’s freedom of speech was taken away. They were deprived of their right to vote. We want to restore those rights. This election is about returning the key to power to the people.”
