Moyeen Khan says PM’s foreign policy will soon benefit 18 crore people
Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Tuesday said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had opened a “new chapter” in Bangladesh’s politics by pursuing good relations with countries across the world, predicting that the benefits would soon reach the country’s 18 crore people.
“The Prime Minister has started politics anew, maintaining good relations with all countries of the world. Very soon, the 18 crore people of the country will get its benefits,” Moyeen Khan said.
He was speaking as chief guest at a doa and milad mahfil at the Palash Upazila Multipurpose Auditorium in Narsingdi, organised to mark the BNP’s 48th founding anniversary.
Moyeen Khan said the BNP viewed political power as a mandate from voters rather than an entitlement.
“The people have given us the responsibility of running the country, and we will run it well,” he said. “If people, for any reason, hold us accountable and do not give us that responsibility, we will never forcibly seize it, because BNP believes in democracy.”
Referring to the 1996 political crisis, he said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had understood the public mood and relinquished the premiership, demonstrating that the party put people ahead of power.
The minister also criticised the previous Awami League government, accusing it of damaging Bangladesh’s economic structure during its 17 years in power and leaving industries struggling to survive.
Moyeen Khan said the government would strengthen local government institutions by holding “fair and neutral” elections at every tier, including union parishads, zila parishads, municipalities and city corporations.
Turning to the power crisis, he said the closure of the 1,024-megawatt Palash power plant had contributed to electricity shortages. The BNP government, he added, was working to reopen shuttered plants as part of efforts to revive the economy.
Addressing BNP leaders and activists, Moyeen Khan urged them to remain patient and uphold honesty and the rule of law.
“BNP believes in the rule of law. We practise the politics of law, honesty and development,” he said. “No one will be able to obstruct our country’s development.”
Palash Upazila BNP President Abdus Sattar presided over the programme, conducted by Senior Joint Secretary Bahauddin Bhuiyan Milton.
Ghorashal Municipal BNP President Alam Molla, Palash Upazila BNP Senior Vice-President Md Jashim Uddin Bhuiyan, Narsingdi Inter-district Road Transport Owners’ Association President Sarwar Hossain Mridha, District Jubo Dal General Secretary Hasanuzzaman Sarkar and Narsingdi Bazar Merchants’ Association President Babul Sarkar were among those who also spoke.