Photo: BSS

KHULNA, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Information Affairs Secretary and Khulna-4 constituency candidate Azizul Bari Helal said people of Bangladesh have been deprived of their voting rights for the last 17 years and stressed that democracy must finally be restored through the ballot on February 12.

He made the remarks while addressing a doa and civic gathering organised by TSB Civil Society at the North Khajadanga Government Primary School ground in Rupsha upazila, seeking eternal peace of the departed soul of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia on Wednesday.

Helal said the path to restoring democracy had been paved with blood, enforced disappearances and the killings of thousands, and urged voters to ensure its ultimate victory through peaceful participation in the polls.

Outlining plans for local development, he said that if BNP comes to power, employment would be created for one crore educated and skilled unemployed people across the country within a year. 

He added that closed jute mills, including the Star Jute Mill in Khulna, would be reopened to revive the industrial zone.

He also said fish freezing companies in Rupsha would be brought under an economic zone to boost export earnings and create employment opportunities.

Explaining BNP's 31-point reform outline, Helal said every farmer would be provided with an "Agriculture Card," allowing access to interest-free loans of up to Tk 500,000 along with subsidised fertiliser, seeds and pesticides.

He further announced the introduction of a "Family Health Card" for every household, to be issued in the name of the mother or sister, through which the state would ensure free access to advanced medical treatment and medicines anywhere in the country.

To address long-standing waterlogging, Helal said canals connected to Baddha Beel, Nadiar Beel and Pallabi Beel would be excavated. He also said that alongside conventional education, learning Arabic, Chinese and Japanese would be made mandatory to enhance overseas employment opportunities.

Later in the afternoon, Helal joined prayers with members of the Hindu community at Taltala Temple in TSB Union for Begum Khaleda Zia. In the evening, a doa mahfil was held at Senar Bazar, organised by the local traders' association.