Thakurgaon-1 by-election: Delwar Hossain accuses BNP of corruption, politicisation

Desk reportJamaat-e-Islami candidate Delwar Hossain, backed by the 11-party alliance in the Thakurgaon-1 by-election, has criticised the BNP`s proposed farmer cards, saying farmers need fertiliser, seeds and pesticides at fair prices and on time rather than a monthly payment of Tk 200.

Accusing the BNP of deceiving farmers in the name of farmer cards, Delwar alleged that the distribution process was being politicised, leaving ordinary farming families deprived of the benefits.

He made the remarks while addressing an election courtyard meeting at Shukanipara in Akhanagar Union under Ruhia upazila of Thakurgaon on Monday afternoon. Delwar is a member of Jamaat-e-Islami`s central executive council and the candidate contesting the by-election with the scales symbol.

Delwar said the BNP had promised farmer cards before the election to secure the support of farming families but had failed to ensure an adequate supply of fertiliser after forming the government.

Questioning the usefulness of a monthly allowance of only Tk 200, he asked how much a farmer could accomplish with such a small amount. He also alleged that the benefits were being distributed on partisan grounds, with families outside the BNP`s support base being deprived.

If elected, he said, he would prioritise ensuring that farmers received fertiliser, seeds and pesticides at reasonable prices and at the right time instead of merely handing them cards.

Highlighting the importance of agriculture to the local economy, Delwar said almost every family in Thakurgaon was connected to farming in one way or another. He called for transforming the district into a prosperous agricultural region to tackle unemployment, address food insecurity and create jobs.

Criticising the BNP-led government, Delwar alleged that the country had deteriorated under its seven months in office.

“Those who have turned the country into a bottomless basket within seven months of forming the government should not be given another vote,” he said.

He further alleged that several road repair projects in Thakurgaon, approved during the tenure of the interim government, had been taken up after the new government assumed office but were halted before completion. He claimed that the situation resulted from the alleged distribution of allocated funds among ruling-party leaders.

Delwar warned that another BNP victory in Thakurgaon-1 would expose ordinary people to further corruption, irregularities and partisan favouritism. In contrast, he pledged that Jamaat-e-Islami would work to protect people`s rights and ensure transparency in the use of public funds if elected.

He also proposed making information on government allocations publicly accessible through LED displays so that citizens could see how much money had been allocated for them and how it had been spent.

Calling for public ownership and accountability in the management of state resources, the Jamaat candidate urged voters to support him with the scales symbol in the by-election scheduled for October 29.

The courtyard meeting was chaired by Shukanipara Ward Jamaat President Asfiqul Rahman and conducted by Ruhia Upazila Jamaat Secretary Mostafizur Rahman.

Former central president of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir Manjurul Islam attended as a special guest. Mujahid Faisal, president of the Rajshahi University unit of Chhatra Shibir, also spoke at the meeting.

Thakurgaon district president of Bangladesh Khelafat Sramik Majlis Maulana Rafiqul Islam, National Citizen Party (NCP) district convener Khalilur Rahman and local leaders of the 11-party alliance were also present.