Fulfilling Pledges Remains BNP’s Core Culture, Declares Ruhul Kabir Rizvi

Keeping promises and honoring commitments forms the foundational political culture of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), according to Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. He asserted that a government elected through a free, fair, and credible popular vote is naturally bound to fulfill the mandates it presents to the electorate.

Rizvi made these statements while addressing journalists on Wednesday at Zia Udyan in the capital, following a wreath-laying ceremony at the graves of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The event was organized to mark the 46th founding anniversary of the Jatiyatabadi Swechhasebak Dal, the volunteer wing of the party.

Criticisms of Past Governance and Broken Promises

Drawing a stark contrast between political agendas, Rizvi heavily criticized the governance record of the deposed Awami League administration. He referenced pledges made by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina prior to the 2008 national elections, particularly commitments regarding employment generation and agricultural support.

Rizvi noted that despite assurances of providing a job to every household and distributing free fertilizers to farmers, the former administration left Bangladesh with one of the highest youth unemployment rates in South Asia. He argued that deception, hypocrisy, and false promises had become embedded in the policy framework and culture of the Awami League, whereas the BNP prioritizes integrity and the faithful execution of its political covenants.

Social Safety Implementation and Welfare Achievements

Addressing ongoing social welfare initiatives, Rizvi highlighted the role of the Swechhasebak Dal in driving grassroots community development. He noted that two leaders from the organization currently serve as Members of Parliament, making the execution of social safety programmes a primary responsibility for the volunteer wing.

Several key welfare initiatives and administrative progress metrics were outlined during his address:

• Family and Farmer Cards: Distribution of specialized ‘Family Cards’ targeting female heads of households and ‘Farmer Cards’ for agricultural workers has been actively rolled out to streamline state assistance.

• Agricultural Debt Relief: Principal amounts and accumulated interest totaling up to 10,000 taka have been officially waived for approximately 1.3 million farmers across the country.

• Honorariums for Religious Leaders: Pre-election pledges announced by BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman regarding monthly honorariums for muezzins, imams, and leaders of other religious communities are being systematically implemented.

• Afforestation Drive: Against a preliminary six-month target of planting 25 million trees as part of a broader 250-million-tree national goal, teams have already planted nearly 30 million saplings.

• Canal Excavation Progress: Out of a nationwide target to re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals to improve drainage and irrigation, 10,000 kilometers have been successfully cleared over the past six months.

Foreign Policy and Diplomatic Relations

On the diplomatic front, Rizvi reiterated the BNP’s stance regarding national sovereignty and international relations. He stated that Bangladesh stands as an independent, sovereign nation committed to maintaining friendly ties with all foreign partners strictly on the basis of equality, mutual respect, and non-interference.

Rizvi cautioned against diplomatic engagements burdened by hidden conditions or unequal terms, stressing that genuine international friendship cannot exist under coercive constraints. He emphasized that bilateral relationships must always safeguard Bangladesh’s territorial integrity and national independence.

Concluding his address, Rizvi underscored that public welfare lies at the heart of Tarique Rahman’s political philosophy. He expressed confidence that under the leadership of Swechhasebak Dal President S.M. Jilani and General Secretary Rajib Ahsan, the organization will continue to advance these public welfare initiatives.

Senior BNP leaders present at the event included Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, and Assistant Volunteer Affairs Secretary Abdul Kadir Bhuiyan Jewel. Swechhasebak Dal Senior Vice-President Yasin Ali, Organisational Secretary Najmul Hasan, Dhaka Metropolitan North President Sheikh Farid, and Dhaka Metropolitan South President Jahir Uddin Tuhin, alongside numerous grassroots activists, also participated in the proceedings.