12 Feb election established voting rights of people: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that with the overwhelming victory of the BNP in the last general election, the people of Bangladesh could exercise their voting rights and secure freedom of speech, which they had been deprived of for more than 12 years.

He made the remark while addressing a public rally organised by the BNP’s Bogura district unit at the Altafunnesa ground on Monday.

“In the 12 February general election, the countrymen exercised their voting rights, which had been denied for many years,” he said.

Through their votes, the people of Bangladesh delivered their verdict and entrusted BNP with the responsibility of governing the country for the next five years, he added.

When the prime minister arrived on the stage around 5:45pm, thousands of supporters greeted him with loud applause. The smiling prime minister waved in response.

Tarique said the people of this country were deprived of freedom of speech, and there was no political freedom for the people.

“We have seen how people were deceived in the name of development, and how looting took place under the guise of development. However, we have begun step by step to implement all promises we made before the election.”

He said, “Before the election, we told the people how we would run the country. Today, in Gabtoli of Bogura, we distributed the Family Card. We promised that if the BNP could form the government, we would introduce the Family Card to empower mothers of this country. We have started fulfilling that promise right after forming the government.”

Tarique added, “Not only that, standing on this very stage, I said that if the BNP comes to power, we will stand by our farmers. To keep our promise, we have started delivering the Farmer Card to the peasants and fishermen.”

Highlighting the waiving of agricultural loans up to Tk10,000 with interest, the prime minister said the BNP-led government completed that task within the first 10 days after assuming office. A total of 12 lakh farmers will enjoy the benefit, he said.

Meanwhile, even before the rally began, party leaders and activists started arriving at the Altafunnesa ground in small processions.

By 3pm, the entire venue turned into a human sea. The surrounding roads were also filled with a large number of people, including party leaders and activists.