Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman has unveiled an ambitious economic roadmap for the country`s northern region and promised to transform the traditional weaving and agricultural sectors into global export powerhouses.
Speaking as the chief guest at a massive electoral rally held at BSCIC Industrial Park in Sirajganj on Saturday afternoon, Tarique detailed his vision for an industrialized north that spans from Thakurgaon to Sirajganj, prioritizing job creation and the international branding of local heritage products.
Tarique highlighted that the Sirajganj and Pabna regions are the heart of the nation’s textile tradition, specifically noting that their lungis and fabrics are synonymous with Bangladeshi identity.
He asserted that with strategic government planning and modernized infrastructure, these products could dominate international markets.
The BNP leader emphasized that the party’s primary objective is to facilitate the direct export of locally produced handloom goods to global consumers, thereby revitalizing the regional economy and altering the fortunes of millions of workers connected to the weaving trade.
In a departure from traditional political rhetoric, Tarique stated that rather than merely attacking his political opponents to gain cheap applause, he intends to focus on the concrete plans the people of Bangladesh are currently demanding.
He noted that the electorate is now seeking a clear path forward and a political party with the technical expertise to advance the nation’s socio-economic interests.
He argued that the BNP is the only political entity in the country with the governance experience necessary to navigate the current complexities of the state and lead it toward sustainable prosperity.
Addressing the youth, Tarique identified the urgent need to bridge the skills gap, particularly for those seeking employment abroad.
He pledged to establish specialized vocational training centers to create a highly skilled workforce and promised to support young athletes through dedicated sports development initiatives.
Furthermore, he emphasized the empowerment of women, announcing that a BNP-led government would issue Family Cards to mothers across the country to ensure household self-sufficiency and social security.
Tarique also issued a stern warning against "conspirators" and "hidden actors" whom he claimed are attempting to undermine the democratic process.
He described these individuals as those who remained silent during the last 16 years of struggle, only to reappear now to spread confusion.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and respond decisively at the polls on February 12 by voting for the "Sheaf of Paddy" (Dhaner Shis) symbol. This vote, he argued, would be the definitive answer to the autocracy that previously stripped citizens of their fundamental rights.
The BNP Chairman concluded by invoking the legacy of the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 mass uprising, stating that the blood shed by martyrs must be honored by making the nation’s independence meaningful for every citizen.
He reiterated the party’s commitment to a pluralistic society where religious and ethnic identities are secondary to the shared identity of being Bangladeshi.
He called for national unity to manage a country of 200 million people, insisting that only an experienced and steadfast leadership can ensure that the rights of the people are never usurped again.
