Tarique Rahman credits popular uprising for national shift, calls for unity in reconstruction efforts
Photo Collected
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has declared that the mass uprising of July and August was a victory for the people of Bangladesh, asserting that the movement’s success was rooted in the collective participation of citizens seeking national change. Speaking at a discussion meeting titled “The 17-Year Unrelenting Struggle for Democracy and the July Awakening” held at the Krishibid Institution in Dhaka, Rahman emphasized that the credit for the revolution belongs to the public rather than any single individual or political party.
Reflecting on the preceding 17 years of political turbulence, Rahman stated that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and other pro-democracy forces remained steadfast in their opposition to fascism, refusing to abandon the public despite significant pressures. He urged all political entities to move beyond past debates and focus on the urgent task of national reconstruction. He stressed the importance of maintaining vigilance against conspiracies while implementing the government’s reform agenda to meet the expectations of the citizenry.
A cornerstone of this transformation, according to the Prime Minister, is the 31-point state reform outline. Originally envisioned by Begum Khaleda Zia, the proposal was refined through consultations with political allies and received a mandate from the public in the most recent general election. Rahman described the blueprint as a national consensus, noting that it reflects the collective aspirations of the Bangladeshi people for a reformed and stable governance structure.
Addressing the economic state of the nation, the Prime Minister revealed that the government inherited a landscape left in ruins, marked by the systemic siphoning of approximately $16 billion annually and the collapse of essential sectors like healthcare and administration. In response, the current administration has initiated emergency measures to alleviate public hardship. To stabilize the energy sector, the government is pursuing gas imports from Myanmar and has finalized discussions with Malaysia’s Petronas for the expedited delivery of LNG. Furthermore, the state-owned BAPEX is being revitalized, with plans underway to procure two new rigs to bolster domestic energy production.
The event, chaired by BNP Secretary General and Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, featured a broad coalition of political leaders. Representatives from various parties, including Nagorik Oikya, the Jatiya Party, Gono Forum, and the Revolutionary Workers Party, joined in the discussion, emphasizing a unified commitment to the democratic transition. The proceedings, moderated by BNP Publicity Secretary and State Minister Sultan Salahuddin, underscored the government’s ongoing collaboration with diverse political stakeholders to stabilize the country’s future.
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