BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has urged the public to remain vigilant against an ongoing “vote-robbing conspiracy,” asserting that while one faction has fled the country, another remains active in its efforts to manipulate the upcoming election.
Addressing a massive election rally at the ATM Field in Naogaon, the BNP chairman claimed that these two factions have operated in secret coordination for the last 16 years.
He noted that during past periods of struggle and movement, these elements were nowhere to be found on the streets, yet they are now allegedly conspiring to divert the people’s mandate.
Tarique told the crowd that they must keep their eyes and ears open so that no conspiracy can shift their vote elsewhere.
Vigilance against ‘magic’ boxes and midnight polls
Recalling the 2008 elections, Tarique Rahman warned of “magic” tactics where ballot boxes were shown empty one moment and full the next, stressing the necessity of guarding the ballot boxes.
He urged the voters of Naogaon and Joypurhat to perform Tahajjud and Fajr prayers on the election day, scheduled for February 12, and to begin queuing at the polling centers as soon as they open.
Tarique specifically cautioned against a repeat of “dummy” or “midnight” elections where voters wait in lines that do not move while irregularities and ballot-stuffing occur inside the polling stations.
Vision for local development and national progress
Seeking votes for the “Sheaf of Paddy” (Dhaner Sheerh) candidates, the BNP leader criticized the lack of genuine progress over the last 16 years, stating that while mega-projects and large buildings have appeared in cities like Dhaka, they have been accompanied by “mega corruption.”
Tarique Rahman outlined the party’s commitment to changing the fortunes of people in rural areas, district towns, and upazilas by ensuring quality education, empowering women to be self-reliant, creating employment for youth, and establishing a secure environment where citizens can walk, conduct business, and sleep peacefully.
For the local region, he pledged the installation of a railway line in Naogaon and special incentives for entrepreneurs to set up cold storage industries for agricultural products.
Public support as the source of power
Reiterating the BNP slogan that “people are the source of all power,” Tarique Rahman remarked that the party has survived 17 years of extreme oppression and torture only because of public support, citing the presence of thousands at the meeting as proof of its enduring strength.
The rally was presided over by Naogaon District BNP President Abu Bakkar Siddique Nannu and moderated by General Secretary Mamunur Rahman Ripon.
Candidates from Naogaon’s six constituencies, including Samsuzzoha, Jahedul Islam Dholu, Sheikh Rezaul Islam, Ekramul Bari Tipu, and Mostafizur Rahman, along with Joypurhat candidates Abdul Bari and Masud Rana, addressed the gathering.
Other speakers included central BNP leaders Shahin Showkat, AHM Obaidur Rahman Chandan, MA Matin, Mahbubur Rahman, and Shwechasebak Dal leader Nazmul Hasan.
Tarique Rahman arrived in Naogaon by road at 6:10pm following a midday rally in Rajshahi and departed for Bogura at 7pm.
