BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman said on Monday that despite Hatiya's natural beauty, the people of the island continued to face many long-standing problems, stressing that only sincere and people-oriented leadership can ensure permanent solutions.
"The people of Hatiya suffer from a lack of safe drinking water, inadequate schools and colleges, limited healthcare facilities and various challenges in agriculture. These problems require an effective government and people-friendly planning," he said.
Tarique Rahman made the remarks while addressing an election rally in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali district virtually from Dhaka, reports BSS.
At the beginning of his speech, he greeted the audience and expressed regret over not being able to attend the rally in person. He explained that due to the limited time set by the Election Commission, it was not possible to visit all areas directly, but assured that he would visit Hatiya and meet the residents face-to-face after the election.
He said if BNP is voted to power with the sheaf of paddy (Dhaner Shish) symbol, the party would take phased initiatives to address Hatiya's problems. "If BNP forms the government, we will focus not only on infrastructure development but also on resolving the fundamental issues of people's daily lives," he added.
Highlighting employment challenges, Tarique Rahman said job opportunities in Hatiya are limited, making unemployment especially among the youth a serious concern. He said working-class people, women and farmers are also facing various hardships, adding that BNP has plans to support these groups.
On women's empowerment, he recalled that during the tenure of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, free education for girls from Class One to Intermediate was introduced, resulting in equal participation of boys and girls in schools and colleges. He said future efforts would focus on making educated women economically self-reliant.
Speaking on agriculture, Tarique Rahman said that the prosperity of farmers is essential for national development. He announced plans to introduce an "Agriculture Card" by preparing lists of small, medium, and marginal farmers nationwide. Through this initiative, the government would ensure full support for at least one crop production each year.
He expressed optimism that farmers would be able to establish a strong economic base within a few years.
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is going on a visit to Mymensingh today (Tuesday) for campaign of the 13th National Parliament election.
It would be the first visit of Tarique Rahman in Mymensingh after a long gap of 21 years.
During this visit, he will address three separate public rallies in Mymensingh, Gazipur, and Uttara in the capital.
The visit was confirmed by the BNP's media cell this afternoon.
BNP's media cell informed that Tarique Rahman will address a public rally at Mymensingh Circuit House ground at 2:30 PM tomorrow.
On his way back from Mymensingh, he will address a rally at the historic Rajbari ground in Gazipur at 6:00 PM tomorrow.
Later, he will join a public rally organized by the local BNP at Azampur Eidgah ground in Uttara, Dhaka at 7:00 PM.
Tarique Rahman last visited Mymensingh on July 20, 2005. UNB adds: BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday completed the second phase of his election campaign by addressing six rallies in a span of around 14 hours, seeking votes for his party's candidates as well as alliance partners.
He spoke at the final rally at Narayanganj's Balurmath around 2:15am, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
Tarique returned to his Gulshan residence at around 3:10am on Monday after attending the hectic series of rallies in Chattogram, Feni, Cumilla and Narayanganj.
