Tarique pledges ‘inclusive governance’ if BNP is elected

He outlines a plan to build a technology-driven youth force

Tarique Rahman has pledged Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will “govern inclusively” if it wins the general election as he appealed for votes for the paddy-sheaf symbol.

Speaking virtually from London on Tuesday, the acting chairperson called on citizens of all age groups and professions to give his party “the chance to rebuild the nation”.

The February election date was declared by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus in an Aug 5 address marking the July Uprising anniversary, followed by formal instructions to the Election Commission.

While the Jamaat-e-Islami expressed “surprise” over the announcement without party consultations, its deputy chief Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher called it “positive in the national interest”.

The NCP, led by student leaders who led the anti-discrimination movement, opposed the timing, urging reforms first.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has hinted Tarique would become prime minister if the party wins the election.

Outlining the party’s plan to build a technology-driven young generation, Tarique said the BNP’s politics “is about creating jobs for the future, ensuring employment for the unemployed -- that is our core political goal.”

He added that Bangladesh’s current population, given its demographic dividend, “can become the driving force of the nation’s development, as the majority are of working age. What we need is to transform this population into productive manpower.”