Tarique pledges unity among allies, says people's interests come before politics

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday pledged to maintain unity among the political parties that had joined the simultaneous anti-fascist movement, saying his government will always put the interests of the people ahead of political considerations.

"We have been together all these years. There is no reason that we will part ways now. We have stood together for so long, and, we will continue to stand together in the days ahead,” he said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while speaking at a courtesy meeting and dinner with leaders of parties that had taken part in the simultaneous anti-fascist movement alongside the BNP.

Acknowledging concerns expressed by several alliance leaders, Tarique Rahman said he fully understood their sentiments. "I do not disagree with what our senior colleagues have said. I understand their concerns and frustrations. They are my seniors, and as a younger brother I respect their views. I sincerely express my regret if there have been any shortcomings."

He urged the alliance partners to remain patient, saying the government must first meet the expectations of the people. "The people have placed enormous expectations on us. Let us work together to fulfil those expectations first. We were together in the past, we are together today and, we will remain together."

The Prime Minister said differences of opinion are natural in politics but should not be mistaken for divisions. "There may be different views on how to implement certain points of the 31-point reform agenda, but there is no misunderstanding or division among us. We are united by a common goal and a common purpose."

He said the alliance will continue working to implement both the 31-point state reform agenda and the July National Charter, adding, "Since our destination is the same, there is no reason for us to be divided."

Stressing the importance of unity, the BNP chairman said the people have entrusted the alliance with the responsibility of leading the country. "The people believe we are capable of taking Bangladesh forward. We must preserve that trust at all costs by remaining united.

"The people have given us a responsibility. Let us fulfil that responsibility first. Let us put the people before ourselves…We must first protect the country's independence, sovereignty, economy and the security of the people. The people's interests must come before everything else," he said.

Tarique Rahman said his government inherited a country with a battered economy, damaged institutions and an administration where remnants of the previous regime continued to create obstacles to reforms.

Despite those challenges, he said, the government has already begun implementing key commitments made in the BNP-led alliance's 31-point state reform agenda.

“Many political parties now talk about reforms, but when we announced the 31-point reform plan, they remained silent. We came forward despite threats from the autocratic regime," the Prime Minister said.

He said the people had endorsed the reform agenda through their mandate, making it "the people's own 31-point programme."

"We, who believe in this agenda, must now work together to implement it," Tarique Rahman added.

Without naming any party, he criticised what he called a "covert force" that now claims credit for the anti-autocracy movement despite having remained absent from the streets during the struggle.

"We searched for them during the movement but never found them. Instead, we saw them standing beside those who later fled the country. Only after the fall of the autocratic regime on August 5 did this hidden force begin to reveal itself," the Prime Minister said.

He said the government has worked tirelessly since assuming office to provide relief to people despite numerous challenges.

"I do not know whether we have succeeded completely, but we have tried day and night. Although we may not have achieved everything, no one can deny that, considering we are a new government, we have managed the situation reasonably well and brought some comfort to the people," he said.

The Prime Minister said the government fulfilled its pledge to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000 at its very first Cabinet meeting and has since launched programmes such as the Farmers' Card and Family Card while advancing reforms in the health, education and expatriate welfare sectors.

"We have started the work step by step. But we have not yet been able to move at the speed we had hoped because there are still elements of the previous regime and hidden forces creating obstacles in different parts of the administration," he said.

Tarique Rahman, however, expressed confidence that public support remains firmly behind the government and the parties that had participated in the joint movement.

"Our greatest strength is the people of Bangladesh. The people are with the BNP and with all the parties that took part in the simultaneous movement," he said.

Referring to remarks made by alliance leaders during the programme, the Prime Minister said they have every reason to express their concerns and assured them that the government will give due consideration to their views.

"This is not a farewell dinner. If there is to be any farewell, it should be for the covert forces or the fallen autocratic regime—not for those who fought together. We were together, we are together and, God willing, we will remain together," he said.

The programme, held at the State Guest House Jamuna, began with the recitation from the Holy Quran. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman exchanged greetings with leaders of the allied parties before hosting a dinner in their honour.

Leaders who spoke included Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, 12-Party Alliance Chief Coordinator and Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) Chairman Mustafa Jamal Haider, Bangladesh Jatiya Party Chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partho, Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, Gono Forum President Subrata Chowdhury, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh Secretary General Maulana Dr Golam Mohiuddin Ikram and Gono Dal Chairman ATM Golam Maula Chowdhury.