True leadership needed for lasting solutions in Hatiya: Tarique

"The people of Hatiya suffer from a lack of safe drinking water, inadequate schools and colleges, limited healthcare facilities and various challenges in agriculture. These problems require an effective government and people-friendly planning," he said.

Tarique Rahman made the remarks while addressing an election rally in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali district virtually from Dhaka. 

At the beginning of his speech, he greeted the audience and expressed regret over not being able to attend the rally in person. He explained that due to the limited time set by the Election Commission, it was not possible to visit all areas directly, but assured that he would visit Hatiya and meet the residents face-to-face after the election.

He said that if BNP is voted into power with the sheaf of paddy (Dhaner Shish) symbol, the party would take phased initiatives to address Hatiya's problems. "If BNP forms the government, we will focus not only on infrastructure development but also on resolving the fundamental issues of people's daily lives," he added.

Highlighting employment challenges, Tarique Rahman said job opportunities in Hatiya are limited, making unemployment especially among the youth a serious concern. He said working-class people, women and farmers are also facing various hardships, adding that BNP has plans to support these groups.

On women's empowerment, he recalled that during the tenure of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, free education for girls from Class One to Intermediate was introduced, resulting in equal participation of boys and girls in schools and colleges. He said future efforts would focus on making educated women economically self-reliant.

Speaking on agriculture, Tarique Rahman said that the prosperity of farmers is essential for national development. He announced plans to introduce an "Agriculture Card" by preparing lists of small, medium, and marginal farmers nationwide. Through this initiative, the government would ensure full support for at least one crop production each year. 

He expressed optimism that farmers would be able to establish a strong economic base within a few years.

Vocational training institutions would be established to provide skills training to educated but jobless youth. After completing training, they would be able to start businesses or obtain bank loans for small enterprises, continued the BNP chief.

He added that trained workers going abroad, particularly to Middle Eastern countries, would have better employment opportunities and higher wages.

On healthcare, Tarique Rahman said access to medical services in Hatiya is difficult for ordinary people, and emphasized the need to expand and modernize the local hospital. 

He also introduced the concept of "Healthcare Workers," who would be trained and sent door-to-door to provide basic treatment for mothers, women and children across the country.

Referring to religious and social leadership, he said imams and khatibs of mosques and madrasas play a vital role in guiding people from birth to death.

He identified river erosion as the most severe problem in Hatiya. Local leaders placed several demands before him, including construction of blocks and sustainable embankments to prevent erosion, allocation of government land for the landless, upgrading the upazila health complex to 150 beds and elevating Jahajmara Union to an upazila.

In response, Tarique Rahman said the demands were already documented and assured that they would be implemented gradually if BNP forms the government.

Speaking about voting rights, he said people had been deprived of their right to vote and freedom of expression over the past 15-16 years, adding that those responsible had fled the country. However, he warned that certain groups are still attempting to obstruct the election.

He urged voters to go to polling centers early on February 12 and stand in line to cast their votes. He also called on voters to remain at the centers after voting to ensure proper counting of ballots, reports BSS.