BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman delivers a televised speech on Monday. BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman reaffirmed BNP's election pledges for economic democratisation and rebound besides restoring the phrase 'Absolute trust and faith in the Almighty Allah' at the beginning of the constitution, as it was originally.
He made the statement while delivering a speech to the nation on the state-run Bangladesh Television on Monday evening, wrapping up party election campaigns.
He also sought votes for the 'sheaf of paddy', the election symbol of BNP, in the name of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Deshnetri Begum Khaleda Zia.
"If you believe in the ideals of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Deshnetri Begum Khaleda Zia, and want to uphold democracy in the country, then vote for the sheaf of paddy," he said.
He also promised to create jobs for ten million people if BNP comes to power through February-12th polls.
Women education and health service will get top priority if BNP is in power, he said.
He said without democratisation of the economy and politics, development, democracy, and decentralisation are not possible.
He said the key to empowering people is to ensure free and fair elections where people can give their mandate.
He said the past fascist regime oppressed people and destroyed democracy and the voting system.
"BNP and other democratic forces fought against the fascist regime because they believe in democracy."
He reminds that around 1,400 students and citizens lost their lives in the July Uprising, and to honour the martyrs, the country must be rebuilt as a democratic Bangladesh.
Unemployment is a serious problem for young people across the country. To address this, BNP has prepared clear plans and programmes.
"In the next five years, InshaAllah, we will create job opportunities for ten million people."
Tarique Rahman said BNP will encourage local investors and invite foreign investors to set up mills and factories in Bangladesh.
This, he said, will help reduce unemployment and strengthen the economy.
He also said vocational institutes, training centres, technological institutes and IT institutes will be established in all districts.
Both young men and women will be trained as skilled citizens so that they can create jobs for themselves, invest in businesses at home, and also find jobs abroad.
To expand free education, BNP has pledged to ensure free education for girls up to the postgraduate level and for boys up to the undergraduate level or equivalent.
Education stipend programmes for both male and female students will be expanded.
Speaking about overseas employment, he said around 15 million Bangladeshis are working abroad.
Many people have to sell ancestral land due to lack of money before going overseas.
BNP, he said, has decided that young skilled workers will be given small government loans so they do not have to sell family land.
They will repay the loan gradually after starting work abroad.
Tarique Rahman also said BNP will recruit 0.1 million health workers to create more employment.
He said: "There are more than 2.7 million unemployed people in Bangladesh today. Among them, about 0.90 million are highly educated graduates. Around 22 percent of these young men and women are not involved in any education, job, or training".
"Most of these unemployed people are between 15 and 29 years old. If the people vote for BNP in the February 12 election and we form the government, we have decided to provide a special financial allowance to educated young people for six months up to one year, or until they get employment" he said. He said: "We believe this allowance can help an unemployed graduate become capable of creating jobs and contributing to development."
He said: "More than half of the country's workforce is women. Leaving them out of the mainstream of government, politics, and economy will not allow the country to progress.
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