BNP won't tie up with Jamaat: Tarique Rahman

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday (7 February 2026) laid out a series of development plans, including a major Teesta Barrage project, aimed at easing the difficulties of people in the greater Dinajpur-Rangpur region.

The BNP Chairman spoke as the chief guest at an election rally held at Birampur Government College field in Dinajpur, his grandmother's hometown. At the same time it should be noted that Tarique Rahman told Reuters during an interview on Friday that BNP will not tie up with Jamaat-E-Islami before or after elections.

Tarique Rahman said a BNP government, if elected, would focus on building a safe and merit-based Bangladesh. "We want a Bangladesh where our mothers and sisters can move freely at night, where our brothers can live safely, work, and sleep without fear. Whether Muslim, indigenous, Hindus, Buddhists, or Christians, our identity will be based on talent and merit." BNP will wipe out all forms of discrepancies including communal disparities, Tarique Rahman affirmed. He outlined several initiatives his party would implement if elected, including monthly government stipends for mosque imams, khatibs and religious leaders of other faiths; the appointment of 1,00,000 healthcare workers across the country for women and children; computer and skills training for teachers; and foreign language education for youths to enhance employment opportunities both domestically and securing jobs for Bangladeshis in overseas locations.

Tarique Rahman also promised to promote agricultural industries in Dinajpur.

Stressing the region's famous lychees, Tarique Rahman said a BNP government would take required measures to process and store the fruit properly for export. Similarly, he mentioned efforts to expand global markets for the area's renowned "Kataribhog" rice.

The BNP Chairman also announced that the party would forgive agricultural loans up to Tk10,000, including interest, for farmers. "Just as we want to provide family cards to mothers and sisters, delivering a fixed monthly allowance to help them become economically self-reliant, we also want to provide farmers with a 'Farmer Card' to facilitate access to loans," he further said.

Tarique Rahman introduced BNP candidates during yesterday's mass gathering for four constituencies, including Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain, the party's nominee for Dinajpur-6, appealing to voters to cast their ballots for BNP candidates so that BNP can carry out strong endeavours for Bangladesh's socioeconomic justice and equal rights.

As he appeared on the stage yesterday, Tarique Rahman greeted the crowd saying, "How are you all? I am visiting my grandmother's place after many years. Your grandson has come, so there is one thing I must get - your vote. And what will you vote for? The paddy sheaf symbol."

The huge numbers of people who joined the rally in Dinajpur assured to vote for BNP on 12 February 2026 when the 13th parliamentary elections will be organized.