Tarique Rahman vows quick action on Uttara waterlogging

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday pledged that resolving Uttara’s long-standing waterlogging problem will be his government’s top priority if the party wins the upcoming parliamentary election. 
“Waterlogging has been a source of prolonged suffering for the people of Uttara. If BNP assumes office, addressing this problem will be my first priority,” he said while addressing an election rally at the Azampur Eidgah ground in Uttara around 1:30am.
Recalling the role of Uttara residents during the 2024 mass uprising, Tarique Rahman said their contribution was instrumental in bringing about the fall of what he described as the fascist Awami League government. In recognition of their sacrifices, he announced plans to establish a hospital in Uttara aimed at providing healthcare services for middle- and low-income residents.
“The contribution of the people of Uttara during the student-public movement will be written in gold letters in history,” he said, reiterating his party’s commitment to restoring democracy, political rights, and people-centric development after years of deprivation and misrule.
At the outset of his speech, the BNP chairman addressed family members of those who lost their loved ones to enforced disappearances and killings over the past 16-17 years, many of whom were present near the stage. “Everyone here is a witness to why these people lost their dear ones,” he said, noting that they were targeted for defending political rights, freedom of expression, and civil liberties.
Claiming that the change has come through sacrifice of many lives and blood, he said to sustain momentum of the change, it is essential to establish democracy, ensure people’s political rights, freedom of speech and strengthen their voting rights so that no dictator can return in the country in future and snatch the people’s rights.
Tarique Rahman said the country’s political parties make various comments against each other during the election, which does not benefit the people. “Today, we must think with a clear head about how to ensure the overall welfare of the people,” he said. 
Highlighting Uttara’s local problems, he said residents often fail to receive gas despite paying monthly bills, calling it a long-standing grievance. He noted that previous efforts to explore new gas fields were obstructed and pledged to take steps to resolve the issue.
Earlier, while addressing another election in Bhawal Rajbari field in Gazipur on Tuesday night, Tarique Rahman said voters will not allow “vote robbery” in the upcoming election, urging people to remain vigilant at polling centres from early morning.
He also warned that voters must keep a close watch so that no one enters polling booths in advance.
The BNP chairman recalled the participation of Gazipur residents during last year’s movement. “The people of Gazipur proved their strength. Thousands of people came to Dhaka in 2024 during the movement. Gazipur played a big role in restoring democracy and protecting freedom,” he said.