KISHOREGANJ, Sept 23, 2024 (BSS)- Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today said if his party is voted to power, “Swapno Project Family Card” will be introduced to ensure food security of every family.

“Mother or house wife of every family will get this card. Initially underprivileged people at grassroots level in every district will be brought under the project. In phases every family will be covered,” he said.

Tarique Rahman was addressing a public rally organized by BNP’s Kishoregonj district unit at Old Stadium today. He joined the rally as the chief guest being connected virtually from London.

Tarique added: “With this card a family will get food support free of cost for maximum four members. The card would be distributed non-partisan basis without any local influence.”  

Family members of martyrs and victims in democratic movements were given financial assistance in the programme.

BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan and BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Advocate Fazlur Rahman also spoke on the occasion.

Party’s Kishoreganj District Unit President Shariful Alam chaired the rally which was conducted by District Unit General Secretary Md Mazharul Islam.

BNP Joint Secretary General Emran Saleh Prince, Assistant Organizing Secretary Warez Ali Mamun and Kishoreganj District BNP Vice-President Rezaul Karim Tipu were present, among others.

Earlier, family members of those who were killed, became victims of enforced disappearance and received injuries in attacks at different times of democratic movement spoke on the occasion, explaining the repression and sufferings they faced during Awami League regime.

Carrying national and party flags, banners and festoons containing photographs of the Shahid President Ziaur Rahman and other party leaders, a large number of supporters and common people joined the mammoth rally.

“Today we are breathing free and talking in a fearless environment,” BNP acting chairman said adding people of this country had to wait for 17 years to create such fearless environment.

Tarique Rahman said, the public rally was arranged to pay homage to those who embraced martyrdom and became crippled in the democratic movement.

“People of this country had to make sacrifice a lot and we have lost 17 leaders and workers during the democratic movement in Kishoreganj,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said thousands of people embraced martyrdom in democratic movement in the last 15-16 years. Hundreds of students were killed in the last July-August and many people suffered harms in many ways, he said.

BNP’s 60 lakh leaders and activists suffered repression and torture of the fascist Awami regime, Tarique Rahman said.

Tarique Rahman said not only BNP leaders and activists, but common people of the country including the opposition parties were tortured and suppressed by Awami League government.

“So many people embraced martyrdom; sacrificed their lives because they wanted to establish their political rights and ensure a free and fearless political environment we are enjoying right now,” he added.

Autocratic rulers confined the country but the people showed how to get their rights back standing before the gunshot, said Tarique.

The BNP leader said people of the country have made it sure that they never accept any autocrat. Bangladesh got liberated in 1971 with the sacrifice of lives and blood.

“On August 5 we were succeeded in throw out the autocratic Awami government in the same way,” he said.

“The sacrifice of martyrs will be evaluated properly if we can work for the country,” Tarique said, adding, “In previous times, the autocratic government divided the nation to keep sustain their fascism.

“BNP do not want division, we want to make people united,” he said.

Tarique said fascist government has collapsed but the ghosts of the fascist and autocratic Sheikh Hasina government are hatching conspiracy at home and abroad to destabilize the country.

The BNP Acting Chairman called upon the political parties and common people to be vigilant for democracy and said: “We will be providing our full cooperation to the interim government for the reformation of the country.”

Terming Kishoreganj as a potential district, he said, 16 percent of paddies are produced in the district. It is very possible to take it to 20 or 25 percent if a proper plan can be made and the farmers are provided with necessary assistance and logistics”.

Regarding huge fishery resources of the district, Tarique said, it can be a source of earning foreign currency like ready-made garments.