PM inaugurates Muhuri-Kahua flood control project in Parashuram

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has raised the question of whether any of today's political leaders were seen in street movements during the past 17 years, when BNP leaders and activists faced torture, jail, persecution, killings and false cases.

The Prime Minister raised this question at a public meeting held at the Fulgazi Government Pilot High School ground in Feni on Thursday afternoon.

Tarique Rahman said BNP leaders and activists were subjected to various forms of persecution over the past 17 years. They had to face jail, persecution, killings and false cases. However, he remarked that many of those now active in politics were not seen on the streets at that time.

The Prime Minister said, "For the past 17 years, BNP leaders and activists have been persecuted. BNP leaders and activists have been victims of jail, persecution, killings and false cases. Have you heard of any of them being victims of these? You also came out on the streets, held strikes, processions and meetings — did you see any of them? They were not on the streets at all."

Tarique Rahman also remarked at the public meeting that the autocracy and the 'secret force' (gupta bahini) have come together again. He said there was a political understanding between them before as well. He claimed they were together in 1991 and 1986 too, and worked together 'secretly' in the last election as well.

Tarique Rahman said, "A few days after the autocracy fled, what did we see — these people of the secret force said, if they come, stay, work, we have no objection. How can there be an objection? They have always been together. They were together in '91, they were together in '86, they were together during the last election too. They worked secretly. That is why they are called secret."

The Prime Minister also alleged that attempts are being made to create lawlessness in the country. He said some people are trying to destabilise the situation by saying 'one demand, one demand'. He also remarked that the programmes taken by the government will benefit ordinary and working people.

Tarique Rahman also raised questions about the public welfare programmes of those who are saying 'one demand' or have fled the country, and against whom there are allegations of taking away people's right to speak and vote.

He said the people should consider whether they have programmes for family cards, farmer cards, canal excavation, tree planting or allowances for imams and muezzins. He also questioned whether they have any plan to upgrade the number of beds in upazila health complexes from 50 to 150.

Tarique Rahman said the people of the country now want a change in their fortunes. He remarked that if assistance is delivered to mothers and sisters through family cards, support to farmers through farmer cards, and cooperation for religious persons including imams and muezzins, people's financial condition will gradually improve. The Prime Minister remarked that alongside people's solvency, the country's economy will also become stronger.

He said BNP wants to implement family cards and farmer cards, provide allowances to imams and muezzins, excavate canals and reopen closed mills and factories. He called on everyone to remain alert if attempts are made to create lawlessness and chaos in the country.

Earlier, at the start of the public meeting, the Prime Minister distributed family cards and farmer cards and provided allowances to persons working at various religious places of worship.

After the meeting, he inaugurated the programme to supply electricity to the national grid from rooftop solar at the Fulgazi District Council dak bungalow.

Earlier, around 2:30pm, as part of his Feni visit programme, Tareque Rahman inaugurated the Muhuri-Kahua Flood Control, Drainage and Irrigation Project in Parashuram and exchanged greetings. He later participated in a tree planting programme at the Begum Khaleda Zia Mohila College premises in Fulgazi.