"Neither Delhi nor Pindi, Bangladesh comes first": Tarique Rahman at Sylhet

In a historic return to the political stage of the spiritual capital, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman officially inaugurated the party's 13th National Parliamentary Election campaign today. Addressing a massive crowd at the Sylhet Government Alia Madrasah ground, he delivered a staunch message of national sovereignty, declaring, "Neither Delhi nor Pindi; Bangladesh comes first."

Tarique Rahman, who last visited Sylhet in 2005, arrived by air on Wednesday night and began his tour by offering prayers at the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hazrat Shahparan (RA). His 23-minute speech today marked the beginning of a nationwide tour leading up to the February 12 polls.

The Vision for "Take Back Bangladesh"

The BNP Chairman emphasized that the primary goal of his movement is to restore the ownership of the country to its people.

• National Interest: "For the last 15-16 years, we saw how the country was sold to others. That is why I say, Bangladesh first. We have freed the country from autocracy, but the journey of democracy is only half-complete," he said.

• Justice & Governance: He pledged that if the BNP forms the government, it will be run on the basis of the justice of the Prophet (PBUH), ensuring fairness for all citizens regardless of their background.

Major Manifesto Promises: The "Card" System

Tarique Rahman outlined several key social safety net programs designed to stabilize the fragile economy and support the marginalized:

• Family Card: A monthly allowance of Tk 2,000–2,500 or essential commodities for 40 million families to combat hunger and empower women.

• Farmer’s Card: Subsidies for fertilizer, seeds, and machinery, along with crop insurance and fair-price guarantees.

• Health Card: Universal healthcare access with a focus on coordinating public-private partnerships for complex diseases like cancer.

• Unemployment Support: Creation of 800,000 IT jobs and an unemployment allowance until job security is achieved.

Call for Vigilance Against "Vote Robbery"

The BNP Chairman warned the audience about ongoing conspiracies by "sinister quarters" both within and outside the country.

• Post-Uprising Context: He reminded the crowd of the sacrifices made during the July Uprising, noting that 13 people in Sylhet city alone gave their lives for the cause of democracy.

• Election Integrity: Referring to reports of postal ballot tampering abroad, he urged activists to remain vigilant on February 12. "Those who fled are still conspiring to rob your votes. You must resist them as you did on August 5," he declared.

Reviving the Legacy of Ziaur Rahman

In a nod to the party's founder, Tarique Rahman announced plans to restart canal excavation (Khal Khanan) projects across 20,000 km to boost agriculture, mirroring the initiatives of Shahid President Ziaur Rahman.

The rally, presided over by District BNP President Khasru Chowdhury, also featured speeches by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who urged the people to unite under the 'Sheaf of Paddy' (Dhaner Shish) symbol to "restore the rule of law."