During Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Banshkhali in Chattogram, local BNP members and their affiliates had constructed several ‘torans’.
However, the police arrived the night before and removed them. What was the rationale behind this action? The police stated, “The Prime Minister has ordered that no unnecessary torans or banners should be displayed, as there is no need for superfluous expenditure.”
Kamrul Islam Hossaini, the former mayor of the municipality and host of the Prime Minister’s event in Banshkhali, told BSS today, “Prime Minister Tarique Rahman speaks of creating a new Bangladesh and new settlements; he is not merely making statements, but is also demonstrating this through action.”
During this visit to Chattogram, the Prime Minister has established a notable example among the populace through several of his characteristic ordinary actions. For the past two days, the residents of Banshkhali have been engaged in discussions solely about the Prime Minister’s visit.
A relief and rehabilitation initiative for flood victims was conducted at the grounds of the west Banshkhali High School, located near the Baharchhara sea coast in Banshkhali. At this event, the Prime Minister distributed the keys to new homes to 100 families who had lost their residences due to the flood.
Traditionally, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has not taken the initiative to personally hand over the keys to the victims during such programs. However, he took the time to assess the condition of the houses and the recipients. One of the new homes was designated for a widowed housewife situated a kilometer from the event site, and the Prime Minister personally visited her residence. He entered the newly constructed house, built by the government, and engaged in conversation with the woman and her children who were receiving the home.
The woman, whose husband passed away two years ago, is the mother of four daughters and two sons.
The Prime Minister engaged with all her children to inquire about the woman, subsequently planting a tree on her property. Her visit to the location, where she spoke in a manner akin to an ordinary citizen, astonished not only the woman but also the entire populace of Banshkhali.
The recipient of the house expressed, “I was aware that the government had constructed the house, but I never imagined that the Prime Minister would visit and converse with me; it feels surreal. We are all taken aback, may Allah bless him.”
Shamsul Alam, a farmer residing in the Dakshinpara area of Baharchhara, remarked, “I have seen Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia. I also came to see Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. I hold great admiration for everyone in the Zia family.”
Local BNP leaders noted that the Prime Minister was scheduled to arrive in Banshkhali at 12:30 pm, yet the area was already bustling with people by 8:30 am.
Thousands of individuals, some walking from nearby coastal unions and others arriving in various vehicles from distant unions, congregated at the school ground in Baharchhara to glimpse Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. They had been waiting since morning, braving the sweltering heat, eager to see when the Prime Minister would arrive. Under the party’s initiative, leaders and activists from different unions of Banshkhali participated in the Prime Minister’s event using approximately 80 buses.
After concluding his program in Banshkhali, the Prime Minister proceeded to Fatikchhari. There, she paid a courtesy visit to Allama Shah Muhibullah Babunagri, the Amir of Hefazat-e-Islam, at Al-Jamiatul Islamia Azizul Uloom Babunagar Madrasa. The atmosphere in the area had been celebratory since morning, with thousands of people lining both sides of the Fatikchhari-Khagrachari regional highway and the C&B field, as well as the surrounding areas of Pelagazi Dighi, to welcome the Prime Minister.
The law enforcement agencies tasked with ensuring security were in a state of frenzy as they dealt with the public’s pressure. Many individuals were observed climbing onto the roofs of houses and trees lining the road, eager to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister ‘up close’. Local residents expressed their excitement at the chance to see the Prime Minister in person as the motorcade travelled down the road.
After meeting with the Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman made his way to the reception and discussion organized within the madrasa premises from his room, where the madrasa students exhibited a distinct mood. The Prime Minister approached them, exchanged greetings, and waved to everyone.
From Fatikchhari, the Prime Minister proceeded to Hathazari, where he provided funds for the construction of homes for flood victims and special assistance for the disabled. There, too, the Prime Minister interacted with the general public, showcasing his natural simplicity. He greeted the disabled individuals separately and offered them encouragement.
In the evening, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman convened an organizational meeting with the leaders and activists of the three organizational units of BNP and its affiliates at the conference room of Hotel Radisson Blu in the city of Chattogram.
During this meeting, he instilled hope among the grassroots leaders and activists. The Prime Minister urged everyone present to maintain unity and advised them to avoid any actions that could tarnish the party’s reputation.
Mosharraf Hossain Deepti, the former president of Chattogram city Jubo Dal, who attended the organizational meeting, said, “Our leader Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has provided numerous important directives.”
“He has urged everyone to stay united and actively engage in countering the conspiracy against both the party and the nation. We all listened to his address with great attention.”
He added, “The Prime Minister called me over, patted my head, exchanged pleasantries, and I was struck by his effort to show respect to a junior leader of the party.”
Former Joint Information and Research Secretary of Chattogram city BNP Alamgir Noor said, “We are all thrilled that our leader Tarique Rahman is convening a meeting with grassroots leaders and activists. I had the privilege of meeting the leader in person.”
“As soon as I addressed him by name, he reached out his hand and greeted me. When I offered him some publications from my organization, he graciously accepted them. This marks a significant milestone in my political career.”
Asked about the Prime Minister’s visit, State Minister for Land and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin told BSS, “Our leader Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is renowned for his remarkable ability to connect with the general populace. I accompanied the Prime Minister throughout his journey, from Babunagar Madrasa in Fatikchhari to the programs in Hathazari and Chattogram city. The enthusiasm displayed by the common people, party leaders, and activists around him was unparalleled.”
Just as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman integrated himself with the madrasa students, he also engaged with every disabled individual in Hathazari.
Those who interacted with him were taken aback.
At the organizational meeting, Tarique Rahman stressed the importance of conducting organizational activities cohesively for the Chattogram BNP, while also coordinating the party’s primary structure with its various organs and affiliated organizations.
He urged everyone to support one another as ‘members of the same family.’
Additionally, he instructed leaders and activists to maintain unity in light of the forthcoming local government elections. He called upon all to collaborate for the party’s benefit during the elections. Simultaneously, he cautioned leaders and activists against succumbing to confusion and various rumors regarding the government’s actions.
The meeting lasted approximately two hours, starting at 8:15 pm on Sunday, and marked the BNP chairman’s first organizational gathering with Chattogram leaders since the government formation. Several attendees noted that Tarique Rahman highlighted the need to prevent distance and division among party leaders and activists. He encouraged everyone to function as members of the same family. He specifically directed the affiliates and associate organizations to collaborate closely with the main BNP.
Tarique Rahman urged the leaders and activists to regard the government as ‘their own’ and to embrace it as ‘my government’ and ‘our government’. He emphasized that they should perceive the government’s actions as their personal responsibility.
A leader who attended the meeting said, “The primary message from the party chairman’s address was unity. He reminded us that alongside governing, it is essential to fortify the organization. To achieve this, there must be collaboration and coordination among leaders and activists.”
He advised the leaders and activists to refrain from believing or sharing information circulated through different media, including social media, without proper verification.
