BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman addressed a BNP-organized divisional election rally at the historic Collectorate Eidgah ground in Rangpur city. Photo -BSS

RANGPUR, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has urged the people of the country to vote "Yes" in favor of reforms in the upcoming referendum, alongside casting their votes for the 'sheaf of paddy' symbol in the February 12 Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections.

"We must respect the July Charter that we signed. That is why I request all of you to vote 'Yes' on the second ballot paper, just as you will seal the 'sheaf of paddy' symbol on February 12," he said.

Tarique Rahman made the remarks while addressing a BNP-organized divisional election rally at the historic Collectorate Eidgah ground in Rangpur city at 8:45 pm on Friday.

He said Rangpur is land sanctified by the holy blood of martyr Abu Sayeed. It is the moral responsibility of the nation to protect the July Charter, for which nearly 1,400 martyrs including Abu Sayeed and Wasim in Chittagong sacrificed their lives and dreams.

Therefore, he said, along with voting for the 'sheaf of paddy' symbol at polling stations from early morning, everyone must also vote "Yes" in the referendum.

Tarique Rahman said that the change that occurred on August 5, 2024 to establish the political rights of the people was not led by any single political party. Rather, the transformation came through the collective efforts of people from grassroots levels to all segments of society across the country.

Referring to past elections, he said the era of "Nishirater Vote" and "Ami-Dummy" elections is over, and urged citizens to remain vigilant while exercising their democratic rights.

"To sustain this change, BNP must win the February 12 election through votes cast for the 'sheaf of paddy' symbol. Only then will our rights be ensured. And because we respect the July Charter, we will vote 'Yes' in the referendum," he said.

Highlighting BNP's development vision for Rangpur, the party chairman said that although many label Rangpur as a poor region, it is in fact a highly promising area. "Our goal is to reshape Rangpur," he added.

He mentioned that while traveling to Rangpur, he observed widespread enthusiastic preparations for planting Boro rice seedlings.

"At one time, Boro rice was not cultivated in this region. Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman initiated its cultivation by digging canals to increase food production," he said.

Tarique Rahman further questioned why industries could be established in other divisions, including Dhaka and Chittagong, but not in the Rangpur-Dinajpur region, which is an agriculturally rich area renowned for its farm produce.

He said agricultural product-based industries would be set up in the region, and special facilities would be provided to entrepreneurs to generate large-scale employment.

"To implement our employment generation plan in this region, we also intend to provide tax exemptions to local IT companies for a specific period," he said.

He added, "Previously, I knew that coal mines existed only in Dinajpur. I was not aware that coal is also found in Pirganj of Rangpur. If this coal can be extracted, significant development can be achieved using this resource."

The BNP Chairman said that bringing about meaningful change in the country requires suppressing corruption. If corruption can be curbed, he said, the country will develop. Over the past 16 years, the previous government engaged in massive corruption through so-called mega projects.

He said there was no issue with undertaking mega projects in themselves, but through such projects, crores of taka were siphoned off abroad through large-scale corruption. He stressed that those involved in corruption must be brought to justice and that the money smuggled out of the country must be recovered.

"We are against corruption. BNP is capable of suppressing corruption. I want to say that big flyovers and tall buildings will be constructed in the country, but what people truly want is a change in their lives and access to employment," he said.

Outlining BNP's future plans for the welfare of farmers and women, Tarique Rahman said that if BNP comes to power, farmers' loans, including interest, up to Taka 10,000 will be waived, and agricultural cards will be distributed to them.

He further announced that all microloans taken from various registered NGOs would be waived if BNP is voted to power, with the government repaying the outstanding amounts directly to those NGOs.

He also said that seeds and pesticides for at least one crop would be provided free of cost every year. In addition, the economic empowerment and rights of women would be ensured through the introduction of family cards.

Referring to regional issues, he said the area faces a persistent water problem. Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had initiated the Teesta Barrage Project to address this issue.

"If BNP wins the Jatiya Sangsad elections on February 12 and forms the government on February 13, we will swiftly work to fulfill the long-cherished dream of the people of this region by implementing the Teesta Barrage Project, Insha'Allah," he said.

He added that canal excavation works would begin alongside the implementation of the Teesta Master Plan to benefit people in agriculture-dependent areas.

Tarique Rahman said that a certain party had been in government with BNP for five years and held two ministerial positions. "If we were acceptable to them then, why are we considered unacceptable now?" he questioned.

"We are asking-if we are bad, why were they with us for five years?" he added.

Tarique Rahman introduced the BNP and alliance-nominated MP candidates from 33 constituencies in Rangpur division and urged the people to vote for them to ensure their victory and the region's development.

The election rally was chaired by Rangpur Metropolitan BNP Convener and BNP-nominated MP candidate for Rangpur-3 constituency, Md Shamsuzzaman Samu.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee Member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, Organizing Secretary for Rangpur Division Principal Asadul Habib Dulu, and other senior and local leaders addressed the rally.

Earlier, BNP and alliance-nominated parliamentary candidates from Rangpur division also spoke at the rally. They highlighted Tarique Rahman's commitment to the development of Rangpur division and demanded the implementation of the Teesta Master Plan, job creation, elimination of development disparities, and overall desired development in the region.

Meanwhile, Tarique Rahman traveled by road from Bogura to Rangpur in a convoy to attend the divisional election rally at the Rangpur Collectorate Eidgah ground for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections. On the way, he addressed several roadside rallies.

Later, at around 6 pm, Tarique Rahman visited the house and grave of martyr Abu Sayeed in Babanpur village of Madankhali Union under the upazila, accompanied by party leaders.

After visiting the grave, he spoke with martyr Abu Sayeed's family members in their courtyard, paid tribute to Abu Sayeed's sacrifice and courage, expressed his condolences to the bereaved family, inquired about their well-being, and consoled Abu Sayeed's father, Md Mokbul Hossain, along with other family members.