Two parties join hands to create unrest in country: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday alleged that the deposed authoritarian regime and another party that now operates inside Bangladesh have joined hands to create unrest in the country, apparently referring to the Awami League and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

“These two parties have united. One party is trying to create unrest by providing money from the other side of the border, while another party operating here is trying to create unrest,” he said while addressing a public rally at the historic Madrasah Ground, also known as Haji Muhammad Mohsin Government High School Ground, in Rajshahi in the afternoon.

The Prime Minister said attempts were made to create labour unrest at some factories in different parts of the country, adding that intelligence reports indicated that the ousted authoritarian regime was supplying money for such activities.

“There is a party also here that spreads rumours in the country. The party tried to sell various tickets to the people before the election by telling lies. These two parties have now united,” he said.

Tarique Rahman urged people to remain alert to the attempts to destabilise the country so that none can create chaos in Bangladesh and obstruct the process of improving the economic condition and fate of the country’s people.

At the beginning of the rally, the Prime Minister launched a programme to distribute 12 crore taka in incentives among 38,970 sugarcane farmers in the Rajshahi region.

He pressed a button on a computer to transfer the incentive money to the farmers’ mobile accounts and handed over cheques to 15 sugarcane growers.

Tarique Rahman arrived at Shah Makhdum Airport aboard a military aircraft at 2:50pm and went directly to the rally venue. Earlier, he visited Rangpur, where he toured a puja mandap at a temple before heading to Rajshahi.

The Prime Minister said the government is working to ensure stability and security, reopen closed factories, make farmers self-reliant, create employment opportunities for workers at home and abroad through skills development, and gradually reduce unemployment.

He alleged that some political parties are trying to create disorder on the streets and mislead people, thereby slowing down government initiatives.

Tarique Rahman said the BNP government has decided to build barrages on the Teesta and Padma rivers to address water shortages, improve irrigation and support agriculture. “We will build barrages on these two major rivers to address our water problems,” he said.

On water-sharing issues, he said his government will engage with those responsible for the problem and make every effort to secure Bangladesh's rightful share of water.

“We will try to go as far as necessary to secure the share of water due to the people of Bangladesh. Inshallah, we will try to ensure Bangladesh gets its rightful share,” the Prime Minister said.

He also pledged to begin and complete the Padma Barrage and Teesta Barrage projects as quickly as possible.

“Inshallah, we will work to secure our share of water and, at the same time, start and complete the Padma Barrage and Teesta Barrage projects within the shortest possible time,” Tarique Rahman added.

He said the projects will benefit people of the country, particularly those from Rajshahi and neighbouring areas, as well as people in around 14 districts.