PM seeks cooperation from party leaders to implement election pledges

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sought the cooperation of BNP leaders and activists in implementing the government's election manifesto. "Without the support and coordination of party leaders and activists, the government cannot succeed. So we must embark on a 'new struggle' to fulfil all the promises made to the people before the election," he said.

"Our one battle has ended. Now another battle has begun—implementing the promises we made to the people," the prime minister said.

He made the remarks at an exchange of views with BNP, Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in Farmgate, capital, on Saturday morning, May 9.

He further said, "You were in the field during the election held on February 12. I had said the election would be tough. Each of you felt that in every way. The people have supported our party and our election manifesto."

Tarique Rahman said, "Until the day before the election, our manifesto was the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's manifesto. After the election, especially after we formed the government, this manifesto has become the manifesto of our government and the people of Bangladesh. The 52 per cent of people who voted have essentially decided in favour of this manifesto. So whatever we said in this manifesto, we must try our best to implement it."

The prime minister said, "Before the election, we told the people we would ensure good governance. We want to create a country where students will have a good educational environment; women, men and children will all be able to walk safely on the streets."

He said, "When we were fighting against autocracy and fascism, we said that we want to create a political situation in the country where we can debate and freely express our opinions, as we ourselves were victims of torture and extrajudicial killings as political activists."

Tarique Rahman said, "We say the current government is a BNP government. That means the government exists, but it is a BNP government. Therefore, if the BNP does not cooperate, the government will not be able to succeed in many areas."

Earlier, the exchange of views began at 10:45 am at the KIB auditorium in Farmgate. The meeting was presided over by the party's senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir present as a special guest. Also present were party standing committee members Khondaker Mosharraf Hossain, Abdul Moeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Selima Rahman and A Z M Zahid Hossain.

This is Tarique Rahman's first exchange of views with grassroots leaders since the 13th parliamentary election on February 12.