Tarique Rahman promises safer, greener, liveable Dhaka

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday outlined an ambitious vision to transform Dhaka into a safe, liveable and well-connected city, promising expanded playgrounds, improved transport infrastructure and enhanced public security if his party is elected in the 13th National Parliamentary Election 2026.

Speaking at a series of election rallies across the capital, Tarique placed urban safety and public spaces at the heart of his final campaign push, while also highlighting nationwide reforms in healthcare, education, youth employment and economic empowerment. He urged voters to support the “Sheaf of Paddy”, the BNP’s electoral symbol, to rebuild the country and protect civic rights.

Addressing a rally at ECB Chattar in the Dhaka-17 constituency, Tarique said, “I will transform the capital Dhaka into a safe and liveable city, expanding its playgrounds, improving mobility and ensuring greater security for all residents if elected in the 12 February election.”

Appealing to local voters, he added, “I am a son of this area. I grew up here since my childhood. My own and my brother’s children were born here. Our weddings also took place here. Therefore, as a son of this area, I am asking mothers, sisters and brothers’ votes for the Sheaf of Paddy.”

Tarique pledged to build at least 40 playgrounds across Dhaka, allowing children to play in open spaces while enabling older residents to walk and spend time outdoors. 

He said the capital would be transformed into a safe and attractive city where women could move freely at any time, people could live and work without fear, and residents could enjoy a healthier urban environment.
He also promised to upgrade the road from ECB Chattar to Jasimuddin to improve connectivity and ease commuting difficulties for local residents.

Calling on voters nationwide to support the BNP, Tarique said the upcoming election was critical for rebuilding the nation.

Zero tolerance for corruption

Addressing another rally in the Pallabi area of the Pallabi-16 parliamentary constituency, Tarique reaffirmed the BNP’s slogan “Bangladesh First” and pledged zero tolerance for corruption if the party returned to power.

Restoring law and order and ensuring public safety would be the BNP government’s top priority, he said, while seeking votes for party-backed candidate and former national footballer Aminul Haque.

Tarique announced a range of welfare and economic initiatives, including the introduction of a family card to empower women and an agriculture card for farmers. He said agricultural loans of up to Tk10,000, including interest, would be waived if the BNP formed the next government. He also pledged to establish a hospital in the Pallabi area.

Those seeking overseas employment or education would be offered soft loans on easy terms, he said.

Addressing waterlogging and water scarcity, Tarique said canals would be excavated across the country, with priority given to restoring canals in Dhaka to resolve the capital’s chronic flooding problem.

‘An opportunity to reshape destiny’

At an election rally in Mirpur-10 under the Dhaka-15 constituency, Tarique described the BNP as a pro-people party that makes only realistic and achievable commitments.

“The 12 February national election is not just an ordinary vote, but an opportunity to rebuild the country and reshape the people’s destiny,” he said, urging voters to support his party to help realise its vision.

BNP-backed candidate Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton is contesting the seat against Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Tarique.

Highlighting the party’s manifesto, Tarique said the BNP had outlined clear plans for women, students and unemployed youth. 

He pledged to create millions of jobs by expanding technical and vocational education and said healthcare services would be delivered at people’s doorsteps nationwide.

He also credited initiatives taken by his late mother and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia for ensuring cashless education for girls from class one to twelve.

Tarique announced plans to establish a hospital in the Dhaka-15 constituency and to resume the long-delayed construction of the 100-foot road in the area.

“Our message is clear and mission is single to rebuild the country as it is our first and last priority,” he said.

‘Symbol of struggle against autocracy’

Addressing a rally at National Bangla High School ground in Dhaka-14, Tarique described BNP-backed MP candidate Sanjida Islam Tuli as a “living symbol” of the 16-year-long movement against autocracy.

He said Tuli was an eyewitness to enforced disappearances, killings and repression during what he described as the authoritarian rule of the defeated Awami League government, adding that members of her own family had borne the cost of repression.

As families of those martyred in the July-August mass uprising looked on, Tarique asked, “Can we allow these great sacrifices to go in vain? No, we cannot.”

He said citizens had been deprived of their voting rights for more than 17 years and that freedom of expression had been suppressed, adding that many people had lost their lives while countless others faced enforced disappearance, torture and imprisonment in the struggle to restore those rights.

Economic freedom must be guaranteed for all citizens regardless of political affiliation, he said, stressing that national progress was impossible without fully engaging women in the economy.

Tarique also addressed rallies at Shyamoli Club ground in Dhaka-13, where Bobby Hajjaj is contesting under the Sheaf of Paddy, and in Satarkul, Badda, under the Dhaka-11 constituency, where MA Quayum is the BNP candidate.

He urged voters to support the BNP in the 12 February election, pledging to ensure public security and drive development if the party returns to power.