PM Tarique Rahman takes charge at toughest time in BD’s history: Partho

BHOLA, Sept 3: Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman Partho, MP, has said the Awami League had “crippled” the country’s economy during its 17-year rule.

“Our Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken charge of the country at the toughest time in Bangladesh’s history. We have to recover from this situation,” he said.

The minister made the remarks at a street rally at Natun Bazar intersection in the Bhola town on Wednesday afternoon after arriving in the district on a three-day visit.

Partha thanked Prime Minister for entrusting him with such a major responsibility.

“I thank the prime minister for giving me such a big responsibility with his trust. If everyone prays for me, I will perform this responsibility honestly,” he said.

Recalling his political career, Partha said he entered politics in 2008, two years after the death of his father, former minister Najiur Rahman Manju.

“That was the most difficult period of my life. During the Moinuddin-Fakhruddin government, the nationalist forces faced injustice and repression. I had to contest the election in a difficult situation. At that time, nobody in Bangladesh knew me. In Bhola, my only identity was that I was Manju Mia’s son,” he said.

He said BNP leaders and activists worked with him in 2008 and helped him enter parliament.

“Everyone knows what I have done in politics over the past 18 years. I could have enjoyed many opportunities and benefits, but I chose to stand by the nationalist forces despite facing imprisonment and persecution,” he said.

Partha said the people of Bhola and BNP leaders and activists elected him by a huge margin in the latest election.

“People of Bhola have stood by me during every difficult period of my life. I will remain indebted to them forever. I am neither an MP nor a minister; I want to remain your Manju Mia’s son,” he said.

He also warned against using his party’s name for criminal activities.

“No thief or terrorist belongs to my party. Terrorism, commissions, GR, TR, food-for-work projects or contracting are not in my blood or my family,” he said.

He said his doors would remain open to everyone, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan and other opposition parties.

“There will be no politics of revenge in Bhola. There will be no clashes, violence, extortion or tender manipulation,” he said.

Partha said all four MPs from Bhola, including Speaker Major Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, had raised the issue of the proposed Bhola-Barishal bridge in parliament.

“We are all working on the bridge and waiting for approval,” he said.

He said Tk 120 crore had been allocated for a medical college in Bhola, Tk 700 crore for preventing river erosion and Tk 500 crore for road repairs.

He urged people not to spread confusion over the bridge project, saying the government was also considering an alternative route to Dhaka via Hizla-Muladi and Shariatpur that could save around 40 minutes.

Partha arrived in Bhola around 12:30pm by road via Barishal and then by river route. District officials and BNP and BJP leaders welcomed him at the ferry terminal.

Thousands of party activists later welcomed him along the road to the town.

The minister also received a guard of honour at his residence before visiting his village home in Uttar Dighaldhi Union and paying respects at his father’s grave.

During his three-day visit, Partha is scheduled to meet journalists at Bhola Press Club and party leaders and activists. He will also hold separate meetings with BJP leaders and media professionals.