BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman said the party has a clear plan to build a new Bangladesh, drawing a parallel with Martin Luther King Jr’s historic vision.
“Martin Luther King Jr said, ‘I have a dream.’ Today, standing before the people of Bangladesh, I want to say, as a member of the BNP, we have a plan,” Tarique said at the grand rally organised in the capital’s 300 Feet area to mark his homecoming.
Addressing the reception attended by hundreds of thousands of people, Tarique said the plan primarily outlines a clear roadmap for economic development, changing people’s fortunes and establishing the rights of every citizen.
He also sought active cooperation and unity from the people to implement the plan.
Protecting the freedom achieved through the student–mass uprising of 5 August 2024 and building a discrimination-free new Bangladesh is now a demand of the time, Tarique said.
He said the country was freed from autocracy through the participation of people from all walks of life, including farmers, labourers, homemakers and madrasa students.
Ensuring democratic rights and justice for the people should now be the collective goal, Tarique added.
The BNP acting chairman made the remarks at a public rally organised on Thursday to mark his homecoming.
Emphasising an inclusive Bangladesh, he said, “This country has both hill communities and people of the plains. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians together will build a Bangladesh that a mother dreams of.
“We want to ensure a safe environment where women, children and ordinary people can move freely and return home safely at the end of the day.”
Referring to the country’s vast human resources as the foundation of development, Tarique said Bangladesh has more than 40 million youths, 50 million children and several crore farmers and workers.
He said nearly 4 million people with disabilities also have special expectations from the state.
Tarique called on the youth to prepare themselves to assume leadership in the future, saying young people would be the architects of a strong economic and democratic foundation.
Stressing patience in the current context, Tarique said, “Spies of hegemonic forces are still engaged in conspiracies. We must maintain peace and discipline at any cost.”
He instructed party leaders and activists to remain calm and patient in the face of any provocation.
Tarique reiterated, “We want peace in the country.”
Outlining his vision for governing the state, the BNP acting chairman said if given the opportunity, they would follow the path of justice shown by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
He also sought prayers from the people for the recovery of his mother, three-time former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and pledged to repay the blood debt of all martyrs, including Osman Hadi, of the 24 movement.
At the end of his speech, he called on people of all religions, ethnicities and political affiliations to unite and pledge to build a beautiful and prosperous Bangladesh.
