How can those who begin with ‘immorality’ provide honest governance, asks BNP chief Tarique

He speaks at an election rally at the Govt Rajendra College ground in Faridpur

Tarique Rahman has questioned how the public can expect "honest rule" from those whose actions are rooted in "immorality”.

Speaking at an election rally at the Government Rajendra College ground in Faridpur on Wednesday, the BNP chief took a veiled swipe at Jamaat-e-Islami.

"They are asking for bKash and NID numbers. Why are they asking for these?" he questioned. "They are behaving immorally towards the country’s people, yet they claim they want to establish the rule by honest people."

He continued: "When you yourself begin with immorality, how can the people expect you to provide the honest rule?"

Describing members of a "secret organisation" as tyrants, Tarique said: "New oppressors have emerged in the country.

“Those from this secret group have appeared as autocrats.”

"In Bangladesh, men and women work side-by-side in the fields, he continued. "The leader of these new oppressors, whom the public knows to be acting in shadows, has used scandalous language regarding women. They claim to practice Islamic politics, yet how can they use such derogatory terms about women?"

He added, "Progress cannot be expected from a party that has no respect for women, nor any regard for their hardships."

Reflecting on the role of Jamaat during the Liberation War, Tarique said: "Millions of our mothers and sisters were persecuted in this land with the cooperation of the leaders of that secret party.

"The public must remain vigilant against them. One cannot expect anything good from those who do not know how to respect mothers and sisters."

The BNP chief expressed his belief that on Feb 12, the people will elect their chosen representatives who will govern the country through accountability.

Warning party activists to remain alert to ongoing "deep-rooted conspiracies”, he said: "If we can thwart this conspiracy on the 12th, the people's rule will be established from the 13th."

During the rally, he introduced the BNP-nominated candidates for the 15 parliamentary constituencies of the greater Faridpur region.