BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman at a massive public rally in Chattogram. Photo: BNP Media Cell

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS)- BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has stated that if BNP comes to power, the party’s top priority would be curbing corruption and ensuring people’s safety.

“BNP has a good track record of effectively addressing corruption issue in the past while in power and always protect the interest of the people,” he said in a mammoth public rally at Railway Pologround this morning.

In the second leg of his electioneering outside the capital Tarique Rahman arrived in the port city today. 

He alleged that Awami League government during its 1996 to 2001 tenure had plunged the country into the corruption hole while BNP forming government under the leadership of Khaleda Zia from 2001, the country gradually had been rescued from corruption. 

Mentioning that BNP governments in the past had not spared even own partymen if anybody found involved in corruption and illegal activities, Tarique Rahman said.

He warned that those who disrupt law and order or try to impede the anti-corruption initiatives in the future will not be kept untouched also.

“Law will go on its own course. Everybody is equal to the law and nobody above the law. Whoever involve in corruption, legal action will be applicable similarly for all irrespective of identity,” said BNP Chairman while announcing his party’s tough stand on good governance and rule of law as well as fight against corruption in the future.
      
He said BNP is considering safety and security of people as key issues so that they can move safely and run their business and jobs without any obstacles. 

Tarique Rahman also confidently hoped that with the support of the people, BNP will be able to improve law and order in the country. 

“Two crucial issue-Public safety and corruption- are the key factors that deprived people from expected benefits for years. Begumn Khaleda Zia had dealt both the issues successfully and we again giving commitment to countrymen to address those issues effectively if people are with BNP,” he said. 
 

BNP Chairman said that students and mass people protected the country’s independence in 2024 which we had achieved in 1971.

“Now people of the country want a meaningful change through which they can improve their living status particularly in availing opportunities for quality education and proper healthcare,” he said. 

Tarique Rahman stressed the need for meaningful change and unity to achieve it. He also emphasized the importance of new voters participating in the upcoming election, as many have not had the opportunity to vote in the last 15-16 years.
BNP Chairman hoped that the elections will be held on February 12, InshaAllah and he wanted to know from the audience when they will go to vote centers to cast their vote.
 
“No, this time you should not go to polling center in the morning. You need to wake up much earlier to offer Tahajjud prayers. After that, you should move to your polling station and offer Fazr prayers together at in front of polling center and stand in queue for casting vote at first chance immediate after opening vote centers,” he suggested the voters.
 
Expressing his strong emotional bond with Chattogram, the BNP Chairman mentioned that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman declared independence from Chattogram, and he embraced martyred on the soil of Chattogram also. It is the city where Begum Khaleda Zia was honored with the title of 'Deshanetri'. 

“So, my family and I have a profound emotional connection with Chattogram” Tarique Rahman, the elder son of Shaheed Zia and Begum Khaleda Zia told in an emotion choked voice.
 
He said BNP government had declared Chattogram as commercial capital of the country, but the plan could not be implemented fully due to time constraints. 

“If BNP get people’s mandate and form government, the plan to elevate Chattogram as true commercial capital of the country will be accelerated,” he assured people amid huge cheering and claps.

He pointed out that no progress has been made on this initiative in the past 15 years. But, the initiative would create huge job opportunities not only for Chattogram but also for the entire country.

Tarique Rahman said that water-logging in various parts of the country including Chattogram must be solved on priority basis to get the people rid of the continuous sufferings. 
“We have a plan to began canal excavation scheme again to mitigate water logging problem as well as to preserve adequate water for agriculture” he said. 

Tarique Rahman said setting up Export Processing Zone is also a milestone economic success of past BNP governments and such EPZ here has created employment opportunities for many workforce.
 
If we got people’s mandate in next election, we assure you that more such EPZs will be set up across the country, he said. 

City BNP convener Alhaj Ershad Ullah presided over the meeting while BNP city unit Member Secretary Nazimur Rahman was the moderator.

BNP National Standing Committee members- Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Salah Uddin Ahmed, Chattogram City Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain, former minister Mir Md. Nasir Uddin, central and local leaders Golam Akbar Khandaker, Prof. Sukomol Barua, S M Fazlul Haque, BNP nominated candidates from different constituencies Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury, Md Abu Sufian, Barrister Mir Helel Uddin, Aslam Chowdhury, Humam Quader Chowdhury, Sarwar Jamal Nizam and Sayeed Al Noman, addressed the meeting among others.