He came up with the remark at a party rally at the Bells Park grounds in Barishal city on Wednesday afternoon.
Tarique Rahman said, “There is a political party that has another identity, an identity by which the people know them. By what identity do the people know them? They know them as a secret identity. Do you know who those ‘secret’ ones are in Bangladesh politics? Do you know?”
“We believe that the people are the source of all power – and our goal is the people – our objective is the people – if we can change the fate of the people, then we have to take this country forward”, he further said.
The BNP chairman said, “From the 13th, the people will feel who will be in power for the next five years. Because we have seen, if the people’s power and people’s support will not behind, then what can be the consequences? We all saw it on August 5.”
Tarique Rahman expressed strong resentment over recent remarks made by a Jamaat leader about women, calling them offensive and disrespectful. “A political leader or party that shows no respect for the country’s mothers and sisters cannot bring progress to Bangladesh, nor can it ensure dignity and self-respect for the people.”
The BNP chief said Bangladesh cannot move forward by confining women to their homes, and recalled that former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia made education free for girls up to the intermediate level during her tenure.
After 20 years, on the occasion of Tarique Rahman’s arrival, thousands of leaders and activists from 42 upazilas of six districts of Barishal division, arrived at Bells Park Maidan since morning.
The crowd held placards displaying the BNP candidates of their constituencies as well as sheaves of paddy – the party’s symbol.
Party candidates contesting a total of 19 parliamentary seats in Barishal, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Patuakhali, Barguna, and Bhola are attending the campaign event organised by the Barishal metropolitan branch of the BNP.
