Prime Minister Tarique Rahman called upon politicians to abandon reckless and confusing politics and come forward with concrete plans for the welfare and development of the people, saying the days of politics based on lies and chaos are over.
“The politics of lies was practised by the autocratic government, and so was the politics of disorder. But you, the politicians, have made commitments to the people for their improvement. So, abandon the politics of recklessness and confusion and present the plans you have made for the welfare of the people,” he said.
The Prime Minister was speaking at a cheque distribution programme for distressed, helpless and sick people organised at T&T Ground in Mohakhali on the occasion of the 82nd birthday of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. A special prayer was also offered seeking eternal peace for her departed soul.
Tarique Rahman said people no longer support politics involving vandalism and destruction on the streets.
He said the government would accept and implement any better proposal from another political party to address the country’s electricity and gas crises.
“If any other political party gives a plan better than the government’s to solve the electricity and gas crisis, the government will accept all their plans and implement them,” he said.
“But if they spread propaganda only to mislead the people, they will have to apologise to the people,” he added.
The Prime Minister said a politician’s responsibility was to guide people towards the right path rather than mislead them.
Referring to development activities in Dhaka-17, Tarique Rahman urged critics to come forward and work for the people instead of only criticising government initiatives.
He said the people had witnessed the sacrifices of BNP leaders and activists during the previous 17 years, including torture, enforced disappearances, killings and attacks.
Calling for constructive politics, he said political parties should present their plans in parliament and before the people.
“If you have any plan for the welfare of the people, present it in parliament and before the people. We will work according to that plan,” he said.
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh needed to transform the 40 crore hands of its 20 crore people into working hands to change the country’s economic fortunes.
He said the government was only six months old and had already started implementing several election pledges.
Tarique Rahman said the government had introduced the Family Card programme and Farmer Card initiative and waived agricultural loans, including interest, for 13 lakh farmers.
He said around 900 kilometres of canals had been excavated during the past six months as part of efforts to improve water availability and irrigation.
The Prime Minister also announced plans to provide a new school uniform and school bags to around 1.2 crore students studying in government primary schools. The programme is expected to begin within the next month.
He said the government had decided to upgrade all 503 upazila hospitals from 50 beds to 151 beds within the next five years to expand healthcare services at the grassroots level.
Turning to the energy crisis, Tarique Rahman said the previous government had left the power sector burdened with around Tk 3 lakh crore in liabilities and failed to undertake adequate gas exploration.
He said the government had instructed BPC and BAPEX to accelerate gas exploration and extraction.
Explaining the current gas crisis, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh has only two vessels for receiving and storing imported gas, and one recently suffered an accident. He said the technical fault had been repaired and expressed hope that the situation would improve within days.
He said the government was working with China and Malaysia to arrange an additional gas vessel and would present a 10-year plan for resolving the country’s energy problems in the next parliament.
Tarique Rahman again challenged other political parties to present better solutions to the electricity and gas crises.
“If you can present a better plan than the government’s to solve the country’s electricity and gas problems, or if you can solve these problems within the next six months, we will implement each of those plans,” he said.
The Prime Minister stressed that public service should be measured by what one gives to the country rather than what one receives.
He called upon political leaders and citizens to follow the path of nation-building associated with Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia.
“Let this be our oath on Begum Khaleda Zia’s 82nd birthday. Let this be our commitment,” he said.
State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton, Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman and Dhaka-17 constituency representative and Prime Minister’s Assistant Private Secretary Abdur Rahman Sany, among others, attended the programme.
