Sirajganj, Sept 21 (UNB) - BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday said unity within the nation is essential to meet the people's expectations and ensure their economic emancipation.
 
"Without economic emancipation, political freedom alone cannot fulfil people's expectations. Economic freedom is equally essential for meeting these expectations," he said.
 
The BNP leader made the remarks while virtually addressing a rally at Enayetpur Islamia High School Ground in the Sirajganj district.
 
The local unit of BNP organized the program to commemorate the martyrs of the democratic movement and to pay tribute to their sacrifices.
 
Stating that a united nation can provide both political and economic freedom to its people, Tarique said, "There is no alternative to staying united to fulfil the aspirations of our citizens."
 
He said millions of people in Bangladesh have long desired to be free from autocracy as they did not have any right, including the right to speak freely during the rule of Sheikh Hasina.
 
"Through immense sacrifice, the people have regained that right in a short time. However, we have only been partially successful. The BNP's movement will continue until voting rights are fully ensured," Tarique said.
 
He said there is still a long way to go to achieve the ultimate victory desired by the nation. "We must secure the people's voting rights and establish an accountable government, which is why the people have engaged in movement and made significant sacrifices," the BNP leader observed.
 
Tarique said he made various efforts to connect with the rural people of Bangladesh. "I travelled to different parts of the country, primarily to reach out to those at the grassroots level. To make the country self-reliant, we must work together."
 
Stating that Bangladesh is a promising country with immense potential, the BNP leader said it is now necessary to place special focus on enhancing regional production capabilities for the comprehensive development of the nation.
 
He mentioned that their party previously presented a 31-point proposal to the nation aimed at bringing qualitative changes to all aspects of governance through reforms and building a prosperous country.
 
"If we want to move the country forward, it's not enough to implement reforms alone. We must make the country economically self-sufficient. Political freedom alone will not bring all the benefits; we need to develop the country as a whole to realize its potential," he said.
 
Tarique said Sirajganj's Belkuchi and Chowhali are synonymous with the handloom industry. "BNP had extensive plans to enrich agriculture, the handloom sector, and the jute industry when it came to power in 2001."
 
He said BNP will support the handloom industry and prioritize how to promote it globally if it forms government again in the future.
 
BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku addressed the rally virtually as the main speaker. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Central Executive Committee member Amirul Islam Khan Alim, Sirajganj District Unit President Rumana Mahmood, and General Secretary Saidur Rahman Bachchu, among others, spoke at the rally.
 
END/UNB/ARJ/KW