CHANDPUR, May 16, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called upon the country’s people to take a vow to rebuild the country.“From today, our only task should be nation-building and rebuilding the state. Let this be our pledge,” he said.

“We have one goal and one purpose. We do not just want to dream. We want to make plans. We want to adopt plans that will move the country forward and change the people’s fate,” the premier added.

Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, made the remarks while addressing a public rally this afternoon after inaugurating the re-excavation programme of Khorddo Canal at Waruk Bazar area of Tamta Dakshin Union in Shahrasti Upazila in the district.

As the Prime Minister stepped onto the stage beside the canal to address the rally, thousands of leaders, activists, and supporters standing on both sides of the canal welcomed him with loud slogans and applause.

Referring to the canal excavation initiative, Tarique Rahman said, “Forty-eight years ago, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman initiated this canal excavation programme. Today, let us all make a pledge to move the country forward.”

Quoting from the Holy Quran, he said, “Allah says that He helps those who help themselves. If we don’t excavate this (Khorddo) canal, how will our farmers get water? They will not. Through the canal excavation, farmers will benefit”.

“In the same way, if all of us work together, if the 40 crore hands of Bangladesh’s 20 crore people work together, InShaAllah, we will be able to transform Bangladesh into a dignified nation in the world,” the premier continued.

Stating that the BNP government is committed to fulfilling the promises made to the people before the election, he said, “Just as we made promises to the people before the elections, we will gradually implement all the promises in the future.”

Noting that the country’s people are the source of BNP’s political strength, the BNP chairman said, “Your strength is our strength. As long as you stand beside us, our journey of building the nation will continue, InShaAllah.”

Calling upon everyone to work together to take the country forward, Tarique Rahman said, “Let our pledge today, at this canal excavation programme, be ‘Korbo Kaj, Gorbo Desh; Sobar Agee Bangladesh (we will work to build the country, Bangladesh first’.”

At one stage, he asked the crowd, “Are you with me in building this country?” In response, the people waved their hands and shouted, “Yes, we are!” Hearing this, the Prime Minister said, “Alhamdulillah.”

Earlier, he arrived at the Khordda Canal site by road around 2:40 pm and unveiled a plaque of the re-excavation programme.

Later, the Prime Minister inaugurated the re-excavation work by cutting soil with a spade. He planted saplings on the bank of the canal.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, local lawmaker Mominul Haque, Chandpur BNP General Secretary Advocate Salim Ullah Selim, Shahrasti Upazila BNP President Ayat Ali Bhuiyan and Vice President Abu Yusuf Rupam were present on the occasion.

Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman excavated this Khorddo Canal in 1978. After 48 years, the canal is now being re-excavated by his son Tarique Rahman.

Cumilla to be declared as administrative division: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today announced that Cumilla would be declared as an administrative division. “If declaring a division named Cumilla is the demand of the people of this region, InshaAllah, it will be implemented. The BNP government will gradually fulfill the demands of the people,” he said.

The premier also said that steps would be taken regarding the establishment of an agricultural university in Cumilla after discussions with the education minister within a few days.

Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, made the announcements in response to repeated slogans from party leaders and activists while addressing a roadside rally at Lakshmipur Bazar ground in Barura Upazila in the district this afternoon.

The premier addressed the rally around 1:30 pm on his way to Chandpur on a daylong visit.

At the rally, Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid raised the demands on behalf of the people of Cumilla for declaring Cumilla as an administrative division and the establishment of an Agricultural University in the district while party activists expressed their support with loud applause.

Noting that people’s strength is the strength of the BNP government, the Prime Minister called upon the countrymen to remain beside the government.

Recalling his visit to Barura during 2001 election campaign, he said, “On this day I had said that the names Barura and my home district Bogura sound very similar. Just as I would look after the development of my own area, InshaAllah, I would also support Barura.”

“We kept that promise at the time. Many roads, schools, colleges, bridges, and culverts were constructed here for the communication and convenience of the local people,” he said.

The Prime Minister said within 10 days of assuming office his government waived agricultural loans up to Taka 10,000 with interests as per its electoral pledges which benefited nearly 1.2 million farmers.

Tarique Rahman said BNP is fulfilling its pledges as the people gave their mandate to BNP in the February 12 election to run the country.

“People are the main strength of the BNP government,” he said adding in line with BNP’s electoral pledges, various programme including canal excavation, distribution of Family Card and Farmer’s Card, and stipends for imams and priests have already begun.

The remaining promises will also be implemented gradually in the future, he said.

Now is the time to build the country with united efforts of all, he said.

He called upon all citizens to make their efforts from their respective positions so that everyone becomes self-reliant.

“The people are the owners of the country; when the owners take responsibility, the country moves forward,” he said.

Criticizing the previous government, Tarique Rahman said the fascist regime oppressed and tortured the people unleashing spree of enforced disappearances, killings, and shootings as well as looted money and laundered the country’s wealth abroad.

As a result, the country’s economy is currently under pressure, he said.

“That is why we must work hard, make sacrifices, and remain patient. InshaAllah, we will gradually fulfill the demands and expectations of the people in phases,” he said.

Tarique Rahman received an overwhelming welcome from hundreds of thousands of people in Barura, Cumilla en-route to Chandpur.

His visit in the region after 25 long years drew not only party leaders and workers, but also ordinary people crowded on both sides of the road to catch a glimpse of their beloved leader.

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher chaired the rally while Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid, Cumilla-2 lawmaker Principal Md. Selim Bhuiyan, Cumilla Zila Parishad Administrator and BNP Organizing Secretary (Cumilla Division) Md. Mostak Mia, and Cumilla City Corporation Administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu also spoke.

Cumilla Metropolitan BNP General President Udbatul Bari Abu, Cumilla South District BNP Joint Secretary Kamrul Huda, Senior Vice President Amiruzzaman Amir, General Secretary Ashikur Rahman Mahmud Wasim, among others, also spoke.