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BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday pledged to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including interest, and will introduce farmer cards if his party is voted into power, framing the move as part of a broader effort to ease pressure on rural livelihoods.
The BNP chief came up with the pledge while addressing a public rally held at the historic Madrasah Maidan in Rajshahi.
He also assured farmers that the irrigation system would not be limited to Rajshahi alone, adding, “We will ensure that farmers from Rajshahi to Panchagarh benefit from this project. Increased production will raise farmers’ incomes…when farmers prosper, Bangladesh prospers.”
The irrigation water will reach every corner of northern Bangladesh so that local farmers and households can achieve prosperity, he said.
The BNP leader also promised to revive the long-stalled Padma Barrage and Barind development projects to ensure sustainable agricultural growth in the Barind region of Rajshahi.
Highlighting the importance of these mega projects for northern Bangladesh’s agriculture and economy, the BNP leader said the canal-digging programme initiated by late President Ziaur Rahman and the large-scale irrigation projects launched during former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s tenure had previously enriched agriculture in the northern region.
He lamented that a major Padma River–centred irrigation project, with an allocation of nearly Tk 1,000 crore, had been deliberately stalled for the past 16 years, leaving it virtually defunct. “We want to resume work on the Padma Barrage. Our aim is to make this historic project fully operational again.”
Referring to the challenges faced by mango growers in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj, Tarique said the region lacks modern storage facilities. “If we come to power, we will establish specialised cold storage and warehouses for mangoes, ensuring that farmers are free from losses due to spoilage and can get fair prices.”
Alongside irrigation, Tarique Rahman promised to improve transport infrastructure by constructing a new Padma Bridge, which he said would become the main driver of the northern economy.
He also announced the introduction of a ‘Family Card’ in every household, enabling women to directly access government benefits and become self-reliant.
Several thousands of people from all eight districts of the Rajshahi division joined the rally venue.
Tarique Rahman arrived in Rajshahi by air at 12:24 pm on Thursday, marking the fourth phase of his election campaign.
He also visited the shrine of Hazrat Shah Makhdum (R) in Dargapara before attending the rally at Madrasah Maidan.
As part of his three-day programme, Tarique will visit the grave of Shaheed Abu Sayed at Pirganj in Rangpur at 3:45pm on January 30. He will then address a large rally at Rangpur Eidgah Field at 4:30pm the same day.
On January 31, Tarique is scheduled to speak at an election rally at the Sirajganj BSCIC Industrial Park at 2:00pm, followed by another roadside rally at Darun Charjana Bypass area on the Dhaka-Tangail highway at 4:00pm.
During the tour, the BNP chairman will stay overnight for two days at Hotel Naz Garden in Bogura, party sources said.
Tarique Rahman launched his nationwide election campaign on January 22 from Sylhet. He later conducted campaign rallies in Chattogram on January 25 and Mymensingh on January 27. So far, he has addressed 16 election rallies across different regions of the country.
Large crowds have gathered at most campaign venues, with supporters often waiting for hours to catch a glimpse of or hear from the BNP chairman.