Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Mar 3, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister and Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Tarique Rahman has stood beside an ailing elderly woman who expressed her desire to cast her vote for the party’s electoral symbol, the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’.

A report titled, “I will vote for the Sheaf of Paddy, son. His mother has passed away; if I do not vote for her child, what will I live for?” went viral on social media, drawing the attention of the BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who is also the chief patron of ‘Amra BNP Paribar’.

A delegation of ‘Amra BNP Paribar’ visited the residence of the elderly woman, Rahela Khatun, at Arambagh in the capital today to inquire about her condition.

The delegation included Adviser of ‘Amra BNP Paribar’ and Member of Parliament from Narsingdi-5 (Raipura) constituency Engineer Ashraf Uddin Bakul, Adviser Abul Kashem, Member Secretary Agriculturist Mokhsedul Momin Mithun, and members Masud Rana Liton, Mustakim Billah, Shakil Ahmed, Rubel Amin and Shahadat Hossain.

During the visit, the delegation conveyed greetings and handed over gifts to her on behalf of BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. They also enquired about the overall well-being of Rahela Khatun.

Among others present were former Vice-President of Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal Zahirul Islam Biplob, President of Agrani Bank Zia Parishad Sujaudoula, its General Secretary Md Abdullah, former General Secretary of BUET Chhatra Dal Engineer Abu Hanif, Jatiotabadi Swecchasebak Dal leader Imtiaz Parvez Set, former Joint Secretary of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Chhatra Dal Nahian Hossain, Joint Convener of Bankers Association Al Farhan, and Chhatra Dal leaders Mashiur Rahman Mahan and Abdullah Al Misbah.

It may be mentioned that Rahela Khatun, when asked by an individual about her voting preference, expressed her intention to vote for the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol a few days before the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election.