Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to Chattogram drew widespread public attention, with his simple approach and emphasis on avoiding unnecessary expenditure becoming notable features of the tour.
During his visit to Banshkhali, local BNP members and their affiliates had constructed several ceremonial arches, or ‘torans’. Police removed them the night before the Prime Minister’s arrival, saying Tarique Rahman had instructed that unnecessary torans and banners should not be displayed to avoid wasteful expenditure.
Kamrul Islam Hossaini, former mayor of the municipality and host of the Prime Minister’s Banshkhali programme, said the Prime Minister was demonstrating through his actions what he meant by building a new Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister’s rehabilitation programme was held at the West Banshkhali High School ground near the Baharchhara coast, where he handed over keys to newly built houses to 100 families whose homes were destroyed by floods.
During the programme, Tarique Rahman personally inspected the condition of the houses and interacted with the beneficiaries. He also visited the newly built home of a widowed woman who lives about a kilometre from the event venue.
The woman, whose husband died two years ago, has four daughters and two sons. The Prime Minister entered her new home, spoke with her and her children, inquired about their wellbeing and planted a tree on the property.
The woman said she knew the government had built the house but never imagined that the Prime Minister would personally visit her home and speak with her.
The visit also attracted thousands of people in Banshkhali. Local BNP leaders said people began gathering at the event venue from early morning, with many arriving from different unions despite the heat. Around 80 buses were used to bring BNP leaders and activists to the programme.
After Banshkhali, the Prime Minister travelled to Fatikchhari, where he paid a courtesy visit to Hefazat-e-Islam Ameer Allama Shah Muhibullah Babunagari at Al-Jamiatul Islamia Azizul Uloom Babunagar Madrasa.
Large crowds gathered along the Fatikchhari-Khagrachari regional highway and surrounding areas to see the Prime Minister. Many people climbed onto rooftops and trees to get a closer view of his motorcade.
At the madrasa, Tarique Rahman interacted with students, exchanged greetings and waved to them.
He later travelled to Hathazari, where he provided funds for housing for flood victims and assistance for people with disabilities. He also spoke with disabled people individually and encouraged them.
In the evening, the Prime Minister held an organisational meeting with leaders and activists of Chattogram BNP and its affiliated organisations at Hotel Radisson Blu in the city.
At the meeting, Tarique Rahman stressed the importance of unity and coordination among party leaders and activists. He urged BNP’s main organisation and its affiliated bodies to work together as members of the same family.
He also called on party leaders and activists to remain united ahead of the upcoming local government elections and work collectively for the party’s interests.
The Prime Minister warned leaders and activists against becoming confused by rumours and unverified information circulating through traditional and social media. He advised them to verify information before believing or sharing it.
The meeting, which began at around 8:15pm and lasted about two hours, was the BNP chairman’s first organisational meeting with Chattogram leaders since the government was formed.
Participants said the central message of the meeting was unity. Tarique Rahman stressed that strengthening the party organisation was as important as running the government and called for greater cooperation among leaders and activists.
He also urged party members to view the government as their own and take responsibility for its activities, while maintaining discipline and avoiding actions that could damage the party’s reputation.
