BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has called on people across the country to cast their votes for the Sheaf of Paddy symbol in the upcoming 12 February national parliamentary election and, at the same time, to vote ‘Yes’ in favor of reforms in the referendum.

He said, “We have signed the July Charter, and that charter must be respected. That is why I request all of you to vote for the Sheaf of Paddy and also give your verdict in favor of ‘Yes’ in the referendum on 12 February.”

Tarique Rahman made these remarks on Friday evening at 8:45 pm while addressing a large divisional election rally organized by the BNP at the historic Collectorate Eidgah ground in Rangpur as the chief guest.

He said Rangpur is sacred soil, mixed with the blood of Abu Saeed. Across the country, including Abu Saeed in Rangpur and Wasim in Chattogram, nearly 1,400 martyrs sacrificed their lives and made supreme sacrifices with a dream. Protecting that “July Charter” is our moral responsibility.

Therefore, he urged everyone to be present at polling centers from early morning and vote for the Sheaf of Paddy symbol, as well as vote ‘Yes’ in the referendum.

Tarique Rahman said that the change that took place in the country on 5 August to establish people’s political rights was not led by any single party. That change came through the collective efforts of people from all walks of life, from the grassroots upward.

Referring to the end of “midnight or dummy elections,” he called on the people to remain vigilant in exercising their rights.

To preserve this change, BNP must be made victorious by voting for the Sheaf of Paddy in the 12 February election. Only then will our rights be secured.

“And we respect the July Charter. That is why you should vote ‘Yes’ in the referendum,” he added.

Outlining development plans for Rangpur, the BNP Chairman said that although many label Rangpur as a poor region, it is actually an area full of potential. Their goal is to comprehensively restructure Rangpur. On his way to Rangpur, he observed preparations for Boro rice cultivation. There was a time when Boro rice was not cultivated here. Martyred President Ziaur Rahman introduced Boro cultivation by excavating canals to boost food production.

He said that if industries can be established in other divisions such as Dhaka and Chattogram, then why can agro-based industries not be developed in the agriculture-dominated Rangpur–Dinajpur region.

Agro-processing industries will be set up here, and special incentives will be given to businesspeople to create massive employment opportunities.

To achieve this goal of job creation, there is also a plan to grant time-bound tax exemptions to local IT firms in the region.

He said he previously knew about coal mines only in Dinajpur, but there is also coal in Pirganj of Rangpur. If this coal can be extracted, it can be used to drive various forms of development.

Tarique Rahman stated that to bring real change to the country, the root of corruption must be firmly shut. If corruption is curbed, development will follow.

Over the past 16 years, the previous government carried out mega corruption in the name of mega projects. Mega projects themselves were not the problem, but through these projects, massive corruption took place and billions of taka were siphoned off abroad. The corrupt must be brought to justice.

The money laundered abroad must be recovered. “We are against corruption, and BNP is capable of controlling corruption,” he said.

He added that building large flyovers and tall buildings alone is not enough. People want a change in their destiny, and they want employment.

Speaking about the party’s future plans for farmers and women, Tarique Rahman said that if BNP comes to power, farmers’ loans of up to 10,000 taka, including interest, will be waived, and agricultural cards will be handed to them. At least one season’s seeds and pesticides will be provided free of cost.

In addition, the introduction of a “Family Card” will ensure women’s economic empowerment and rights.

He further said that there is a water crisis in this region. To address this issue, Martyred President Ziaur Rahman had initiated work on the Teesta Barrage.

If BNP wins the election on 12 February and forms the government on the 13th, steps will be taken swiftly, Insha’Allah, to fulfill the long-cherished dream of the people of this region regarding the Teesta Barrage.

Work on the Teesta Master Plan, along with canal excavation, will begin so that agriculture-based regions can truly benefit.

Hinting at Jamaat-e-Islami, Tarique Rahman said that one party had been in government with BNP for five years and had two ministers at that time. “Back then, we were good, but now apparently we are bad in their eyes. The question is, if we were bad, why did they stay with us in government for five years?”

At the end of his speech, Tarique Rahman introduced BNP and alliance-nominated parliamentary candidates for all 33 seats in the Rangpur Division and called on the people to vote for them and ensure their victory.

The rally was chaired by Rangpur Metropolitan BNP Convener Shamsuzzaman Samu. Among others, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee Member Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, and Executive Committee Organizing Secretary (Rangpur) Principal Asadul Habib Dulu addressed the gathering, along with leaders from various levels of the party.

Earlier, BNP and alliance-nominated parliamentary candidates from the Rangpur Division also spoke, highlighting Tarique Rahman’s commitments to the development of the region. They demanded the implementation of the Teesta Master Plan, creation of employment, removal of regional disparities, and overall desired development if BNP forms the government.

Meanwhile, as part of BNP’s election campaign for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Tarique Rahman set out in a motorcade from Bogura toward Rangpur to attend the divisional rally at the Collectorate Eidgah ground. Along the way, he addressed several roadside gatherings.

At around 6:00 pm, Tarique Rahman visited Pirganj in Rangpur and went to the village home of martyr Abu Saeed. There, along with party leaders, he visited Abu Saeed’s grave in Babanpur of Madankhali Union.

After the grave visit, he spoke with members of Abu Saeed’s family, paid tribute to the martyr’s sacrifice and courage, expressed condolences to the bereaved family, and inquired about their well-being.

At that time, he consoled Abu Saeed’s father, Md. Makbul Hossain, and other family members.