Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday alleged that the deposed authoritarian regime and another party that now operates inside Bangladesh have joined hands to create unrest in the country, apparently referring to the Awami League and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.
“These two parties have united. One party is trying to create unrest by providing money from the other side of the border, while another party operating here is trying to create unrest,” he said while addressing a public rally at the historic Madrasah Ground, also known as Haji Muhammad Mohsin Government High School Ground, in Rajshahi in the afternoon.
The Prime Minister said attempts were made to create labour unrest at some factories in different parts of the country, adding that intelligence reports indicated that the ousted authoritarian regime was supplying money for such activities.
“There is a party also here that spreads rumours in the country. The party tried to sell various tickets to the people before the election by telling lies. These two parties have now united,” he said.
Tarique Rahman urged people to remain alert to the attempts to destabilise the country so that none can create chaos in Bangladesh and obstruct the process of improving the economic condition and fate of the country’s people.
At the beginning of the rally, the Prime Minister launched a programme to distribute Tk 12 crore in incentives among 38,970 sugarcane farmers in the Rajshahi region.
He pressed a button on a computer to transfer the incentive money to the farmers’ mobile accounts and handed over cheques to 15 sugarcane growers.
Tarique Rahman arrived at Shah Makhdum Airport aboard a military aircraft at 2:50pm and went directly to the rally venue. Earlier, he visited Rangpur, where he toured a puja mandap at a temple before heading to Rajshahi.
The Prime Minister said the government is working to ensure stability and security, reopen closed factories, make farmers self-reliant, create employment opportunities for workers at home and abroad through skills development, and gradually reduce unemployment.
He alleged that some political parties are trying to create disorder on the streets and mislead people, thereby slowing down government initiatives.
Tarique Rahman said the BNP government has decided to build barrages on the Teesta and Padma rivers to address water shortages, improve irrigation and support agriculture. “We will build barrages on these two major rivers to address our water problems,” he said.
On water-sharing issues, he said his government will engage with those responsible (India) for the problem and make every effort to secure Bangladesh's rightful share of water.
“We will try to go as far as necessary to secure the share of water due to the people of Bangladesh. Inshallah, we will try to ensure Bangladesh gets its rightful share,” the Prime Minister said.
He also pledged to begin and complete the Padma Barrage and Teesta Barrage projects as quickly as possible.
“Insha-Allah, we will work to secure our share of water and, at the same time, start and complete the Padma Barrage and Teesta Barrage projects within the shortest possible time,” Tarique Rahman said, adding that they will benefit people in around 14 districts, particularly Rajshahi and neighbouring areas.
Referring to criticism of the Family Card initiative before the election, he said some opponents have mocked the initiative after realising that their own election-related “tickets” remained unsold.
Tarique Rahman sought public support to implement the government’s various programmes, including Family Card, canal excavation and the reopening of the closed factories.
He said the government has handed over six closed factories to entrepreneurs and businesspeople to restart operations, with the aim of creating jobs for workers.
The government has also taken an initiative to reopen 46 more closed factories in the country in the next 12 months, from January to December, the Prime Minister said, adding that the government is working to attract local and foreign investment to restart factories, boost exports and create employment opportunities.
About the July warriors, he said the government is working to arrange employment for members of the families of those killed and medical treatment for the injured July fighters.
In an oblique reference to Jamaat, Tarique Rahman alleged that some political forces have misled people since 1971 and have repeatedly attempted to take the country to a different direction whenever they have got the opportunity.
He urged people to remain alert to such forces, while asking all nationalist and democratic forces to remain united in question of the improvement of the people’s fortunes.
BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi presided over the rally, while Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and MPs from Rajshahi district addressed the gathering.