BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman concluded his three-day tour of Northern Bangladesh on Saturday with promising to transform Tangail into an industrial hub through major infrastructure projects and the revival of local heritage industries.
Addressing a massive crowd at Charjana Bypass area, on the outskirts of Tangail city, the BNP leader detailed plans to build a barrage on the Jamuna River and establish specialized juice and jute processing factories to uplift the regional economy.
Tarique emphasized that Tangail’s traditional assets, such as its world-renowned handloom sarees and locally made prayer caps (topis), hold immense untapped potential for international export. "Just as Bangladeshi garments have reached every corner of the globe, we can take Tangail's sarees and caps to the world market through planned initiatives," he stated.
He asserted that a BNP-led government would prioritize these heritage sectors to create large-scale employment for the youth, effectively turning Tangail into a city of industries.
During the rally, Rahman introduced and sought votes for the party’s eight parliamentary candidates representing Tangail’s constituencies. The candidates presented included, Fakir Mahbub Anam (Tangail-1), Abdus Salam Pintu (Tangail-2), S.M. Obaidul Haque (Tangail-3), Lutfar Rahman (Tangail-4), Sultan Salahuddin Tuku (Tangail-5), Rabiul Awal (Tangail-6), Abul Kalama Azad Siddiqui (Tangail-7), and Ahmed Azam Khan (Tangail-8).
Amid the campaign rhetoric, the BNP Chairman issued a stern warning against "conspiracies" aimed at disrupting the February 12 polls.
“Preparations must be taken from the day before, so that no one can come and put a stamp using your name on your vote. You must be careful about this, and you must keep a watchful eye on your own polling centre,” he said.
Emphasising that only eligible voters have the right to vote, he added, “You must be careful to notice whether the right person is voting, or whether someone from another area has come and voted using someone else’s name.” He also cautioned that the election result must not be manipulated as it was in 2008.
At the rally, Tarique said that if BNP comes to power, initiatives will be taken to export Tangail’s sarees abroad, build a barrage on the Jamuna river to boost river-based trade and commerce, export pineapples from the region, and revive the jute industry by setting up factories.
Referring to voters’ bKash and NID numbers being collected ahead of the election, he said, “Those who can do such unethical acts before the election, if they get the chance, can even sell the country. You must warn them about this.”
Calling for vigilance, he said, “Even now, some groups are trying to find ways to obstruct the election.”
“They are sending different people, especially to women, trying to collect their NID numbers and bKash numbers, and confusing them in different ways,” he said.
After concluding a meeting with district leaders, Tarique left Bogura around 12:30pm in a red-and-green vehicle, accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman, to attend two election rallies.
While travelling, Tarique addressed two roadside rallies at Shahjahanpur and Dhunat intersection, where he was seeking votes.
From Bogura through Tangail to Sirajganj, party activists lined both sides of the highway at various points throughout the day.
At more than a dozen points, supporters gathered carrying party flags and placards bearing images of BNP candidates.
Many stood on road islands, overpasses, and the rooftops of nearby buildings in an effort to catch a glimpse of the BNP chairman.
As the red-and-green vehicle approached, supporters at several points rushed onto the road, stood in front of the convoy, waved their hands, and shouted slogans to greet him.
Tarique said the February 12 election could change people’s fate if the right candidates are elected with the right symbols.
He said that just as people from all political backgrounds took to the streets on the 5th (July 5, 2024), all eligible voters must similarly come out to polling centres on the 12th.
