BNP's politics is for people, not power: Prime Minister

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has said that BNP’s politics is centred on the welfare of the people, not the pursuit of power.

Speaking at a roadside public gathering in PMkhali of Cox’s Bazar Sadar on Saturday (June 13), the Prime Minister reiterated the slogan “We will work, we will build the country,” while highlighting ongoing and planned interventions targeting farmers, women, students and low-income groups.

The programme marked the inauguration of the re-excavation of the historic Patli Canal, a project associated with late President Ziaur Rahman’s nationwide canal-digging initiative launched in 1977 to boost agriculture, irrigation and rural development.

The Prime Minister personally inaugurated the excavation work by cutting soil at the site. He said the project would directly benefit around 8,500 farmers and increase annual agricultural output by approximately 12,000 metric tonnes.

“This is not just a development project, it is directly linked with agriculture, irrigation and rural economic growth,” he said.

He further stated that the latest national budget places special emphasis on the agriculture sector, including plans to distribute agricultural cards to 8,000–10,000 farmers in each district, along with a cash incentive of Tk 2,500 through these cards.

“Farmers will be at the centre of our development strategy. When farmers survive, the country survives,” he added.

Highlighting women’s education, the Prime Minister said efforts are underway to ensure free education for female students up to degree level, alongside expanded stipend programmes to improve access to higher education in remote areas.

He also announced the introduction of a “Family Card” system aimed at strengthening rural welfare support and said special budget allocations have been made to improve access to healthcare services in rural communities. Measures are also being taken to ensure the supply of essential medicines at affordable prices.

Referring to fiscal policy, he said import duties on heart stents and kidney dialysis equipment have been withdrawn to reduce treatment costs for patients. He added that taxes on 60 essential commodities have been reduced in the new budget, while duties have been increased only on alcohol and cigarettes due to health concerns.

Responding to criticism from opposition parties, the Prime Minister said no price hike has been observed in essential goods following the budget announcement.

“The people understand very well who is working for them,” he said, adding that “the ownership of the country belongs to its 200 million people, not any political party.”

The Patli Canal holds historical significance as part of Ziaur Rahman’s rural development vision. Nearly five decades later, his son Tarique Rahman inaugurated its re-excavation, linking the project to Bangladesh’s broader agricultural development narrative.

Earlier in the morning, the Prime Minister arrived at Cox’s Bazar Airport around 9:55am on a US-Bangla Airlines flight and was received with a floral welcome by district administration officials.

The day-long visit includes tree plantation programme inauguration, foundation laying of Pekua Municipality and Matamuhuri Upazila, public rallies and civic receptions. The Prime Minister is scheduled to return to Dhaka later at night after completing all programmes.