BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman on Monday urged voters to elect his party in the 12 February polls, saying the party is the only political force with proven experience and concrete plans to run the country effectively.

He made the remarks while addressing a BNP election rally at Kalabagan Field in the capital.

Tarique Rahman said BNP is the only party capable of governing the country based on experience, calling on voters to choose candidates and a party that has a clear vision, programmes and the ability to translate plans into action.

“Let us elect on the 12th those who have experience in running the state, those who have programmes and planning for the country and its people. At this moment, no other party has that experience or preparedness except BNP,” he said.

Highlighting the party’s track record, the BNP chairperson recalled that under the leadership of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, Bangladesh doubled its food production despite inheriting a famine-hit economy and later even exported food after meeting domestic demand.

He said during the tenure of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, industrialisation gained momentum, employment opportunities expanded and Bangladesh earned global recognition as an “emerging tiger”.

Tarique also mentioned Khaleda Zia’s initiatives to make education free for girls up to higher secondary level, saying these achievements prove BNP’s capacity to govern based on experience and realism.

Referring to the upcoming polls, he said the 12 February election is the one Bangladeshis have waited for over the last 16 years, as people were deprived of their political and voting rights during that period.

The BNP chairperson also outlined the party’s future plans, including the introduction of Family Card, Farmer Card and Expatriate Card to support different sections of society.

At the rally, Tarique Rahman introduced BNP-nominated candidate for Dhaka-10 constituency Rabiul Islam Rabi to the audience and sought votes for him in the upcoming election.