BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today spoke at an election rally at the Azampur Eidgah ground in the capital's Uttara. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today said that the people of Uttara have made history; now the responsibility of protecting democracy is also theirs.
 
He said, "Over the past 16-17 years, your democratic rights were taken away. On August 5, 2024, through the extraordinary sacrifices of the people of Uttara, the path to regaining those rights has been created. Now is the time to rebuild the country."

Tarique Rahman made the remarks early today at an election rally at the Azampur Eidgah ground in the capital's Uttara.

Addressing the gathered people who waited until deep into the night, Tarique Rahman outlined BNP's specific plans for the development of the Uttara area.

The BNP Chairman said that in the historic student-people movement on August 5, the contribution of the people of Uttara was undeniable. "Insha'Allah, their contribution will be written in golden letters in the history in the coming days."

He said that the change that began in the country through the July Uprising came at the cost of immense sacrifice, blood, and lives. To sustain this change, democracy, voting rights, freedom of expression, and political rights must be established on a strong foundation, so that no autocrat in the future can again snatch away the rights of the people.

Tarique Rahman said that mutual blame among political parties brings no benefit to the people. Rather, it is most important to sit calmly and make plans on how to solve the everyday problems of the people.

Highlighting the problems of Uttara, he said, "One of the main problems of the people of this area is the shortage of gas and water. Even after paying bills regularly, people are not receiving proper services. Not only in Uttara, but across the country the crisis has intensified because the exploration of new gas wells has been stopped." 

He assured that if BNP forms the government, new gas wells will be explored and employment opportunities will be created through the establishment of industries and factories.

Tarique Rahman further said that a long-standing demand of the middle- and lower-income people of Uttara is a government hospital. "If the Sheaf of Paddy is victorious and forms the government, initiatives will be taken to establish a government hospital in this area."

The BNP Chairman mentioned four major challenges of the country are waterlogging during the monsoon, traffic congestion across Dhaka city, the alarming spread of drugs, and unemployment. 

"Water scarcity and waterlogging will be resolved through canal excavation programmes, traffic congestion will be controlled through integrated planning, and drugs will be suppressed strictly. At the same time, extensive employment opportunities will be created for youths," he said. 

At the final stage of the rally, he said that public support is essential to implement these tasks. "If the Sheaf of Paddy is made victorious, our hands will be strengthened, and only when we are strong will we be able to solve the problems."

Calling on people to vote for the Sheaf of Paddy in the upcoming February 12 election, he said that this election is not only about forming a government, but about protecting the democratic rights of the country.