DHAKA : Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called upon politicians to shun reckless and confusing politics and instead come forward with concrete plans for the welfare and development of the people, saying the days of the politics of lies and chaos are over.

"The politics of lies was practised by the autocratic government, and so was the politics of disorder. But you, the politicians, have made commitments to the people for their improvement. So, abandon the politics of recklessness and confusion and present the plans you have made for the welfare of the people," he said.

The Prime Minister was speaking at a cheque distribution programme for distressed, helpless and sick people organised on the occasion of the 82nd birthday of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

The programme was held at T&T Ground in the capital's Mohakhali. A special prayer was also offered seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of Begum Khaleda Zia.

Tarique Rahman said the days of politics involving vandalism and destruction on the streets were over, as people no longer support such politics. 

He said the government would accept and implement any better plan proposed by any political party to address electricity and gas crises. "If any other political party gives a plan better than the government's to solve the electricity and gas crisis, the government will accept all their plans and implement them," he said.

"But if they (political parties) spread propaganda only to mislead the people, they will have to apologise to the people," said the Prime Minister.
 
The Premier added, "A politician's job or responsibility is not to mislead the people; rather, it is the responsibility of a politician to teach people patience and show them the right path."

Referring to development activities in Dhaka-17 constituency, Tarique Rahman said people had seen how his representatives were working to serve them.

"Even cleaning this nearby lake takes six months. These are not easy tasks. But criticism is easy. So, those who are busy criticising should not sit idle. Come to the field, work for the people and work for the country," he said, adding, "Speak the truth. Do not say anything that creates chaos in the country."

The Prime Minister said the autocratic forces were still there, while BNP leaders and activists had survived by fighting them on the streets. "Those who are now speaking in a loud voice and spreading misinformation were not seen by the people on the streets during the past 17 years," he said.

He said the people could see from the pages of the country's major newspapers how BNP leaders and activists had been subjected to torture, enforced disappearance, killing and brutal attacks during that period.

Tarique Rahman said the people of Bangladesh had a big heart, urging political parties to refrain from provocative politics and come forward with constructive plans for the people's welfare.

"The leaders of a political party made mistakes in 1971, in 1986, in 1996 and again in 2026, when they spread confusion among the people and sold various tickets. I would urge them to come out of this politics of provocation," he said.

The Premier added, "If you have any plan for the welfare of the people, present it in parliament and before the people. We will work according to that plan, Inshallah."

Talking about the broader development of the country, Tarique Rahman said the people of Bangladesh want to see a change in their fortunes and their beloved motherland gradually moving forward in the world.

"To move forward and change people's fortunes, we have to transform the 40 crore hands of our 20 crores people into working hands. We have to turn those hands into the hands of workers," he said.

The Prime Minister said even when a child is born, it takes around 18 months to learn how to walk. "The government is only six months old. You have seen how we are working during this period," he said.

He said the country's overall situation had deteriorated during the fascist rule, with the economic system being destroyed and mega projects being implemented at costs four or five times higher than necessary, with money siphoned out of the country.

He said the country's health system had been made dependent on another country, forcing people to travel there for treatment.

Tarique Rahman said the fascist government had also destroyed the country's education sector and disrupted the agriculture system, while people had been deprived of their voice.
 
"The people of Bangladesh rose up against all these things. Through the mass uprising, they brought down that government. Afterwards, the people formed their preferred government through voting," he said.

Tarique Rahman said BNP had presented its 31-point programme to the people before the election, outlining how it wanted to rebuild the country's economic, health and education systems, create employment through industrial development and training, and support women in becoming economically self-reliant.

"The very first promise we fulfilled after the election was on this field. We fulfilled that promise to our mothers and sisters through providing the Family Card," he said.

He said the government had also stood beside farmers through the Farmer Card and by waiving Tk 10,000 in loans. "At the first Cabinet meeting after forming the government, we fulfilled that promise. Agricultural loans, including interest, of 13 Lakh farmers were waived," he said.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh was an agriculture-based country, but the construction of dams by a neighbouring country had created water-related problems.

"After winning the election, we wanted to revive Shaheed Zia's canal excavation programme to address this problem. Just as we introduced the Family Card within a month of forming the government, we also started the canal excavation programme," he said.

He said around 900 kilometres of canals had been excavated in the past six months, benefiting people in many upazilas by improving water availability and providing irrigation facilities to farmers.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh became independent in 1971, but democracy had repeatedly suffered setbacks. "We have always said that if democratic practices can be maintained in the country, there will be accountability. And if there is accountability, it will be possible to do good work for the people," he said.

He said accountability would compel the government to take measures that benefit the people and the country. "You have seen that in rural areas, particularly children from poor families, mostly study at government primary schools. Around 1.2 crore children study in government primary schools across the country," he said.

"We have decided to provide each of them with one new school uniform every year. At the same time, we will provide school bags to the little children, whether they are in cities or villages. Inshallah, this programme will begin within the next month," he said.

Tarique Rahman said the people of Bangladesh elected the present government, and therefore, its foremost responsibility is to work for them. "That is why we initially decided to upgrade every upazila hospital from 50 beds to 101 beds to take healthcare services to people's doorsteps. But three days ago, we decided to revise that to 151 beds," he said.

"Inshallah, this system will be introduced in all 503 upazila hospitals across Bangladesh within the next five years, where people will be able to receive the healthcare services they need," he added.

The Prime Minister said the fascist government had left every sector of the country, beginning with the economy, in a devastated condition, and the people had now decided to rebuild Bangladesh. "As an elected government, we are working day and night for this," he said.

Turning to the ongoing energy crisis, the Prime Minister said the previous government had left the power sector burdened with around Tk 3 lakh crore in various liabilities, while inadequate gas supply had further aggravated the situation.

"I know that people have been suffering from electricity shortages for the past few days. Gas was once a natural resource of Bangladesh. But in the last 17 years, the autocrats neither drilled a single new gas well nor allowed one to be drilled. They handed over the entire sector to foreigners," he said.

He said the elected government had moved to bring gas exploration under greater national control immediately after assuming office, directing BPC and BAPEX to accelerate exploration and extraction activities.

Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh now had to import a large portion of its gas and had only two vessels to receive and store the imported gas.

"An initiative had been taken during the previous interim government to arrange a third vessel, but they later cancelled it. Today, one of the two vessels suddenly suffered an accident, which is why this gas crisis has emerged," he said.

He said the technical fault had already been repaired and expressed hope that the situation would improve within days. "I hope, Inshallah, with Allah's mercy, the gas crisis will ease considerably within the next few days. I sincerely apologise to the people across Bangladesh for the suffering they are experiencing due to the electricity crisis. But we are working to free people from this hardship as quickly as possible," he said.
 
Recalling Begum Khaleda Zia's election from the constituency in 1991, Tarique Rahman said her government had also faced attempts to create instability and undermine its administration.

"After she took responsibility for running the country in 1991, we saw the people drive fascism out of this country. They had said they would not allow the BNP government to remain in peace even for a minute," he said.

He said the BNP government had overcome those challenges with the support of the people.

Referring to recent criticism over the gas and electricity situation, the Prime Minister said similar political rhetoric was being heard again. 

"We saw two days ago that some members of a political party were protesting, demanding gas and electricity while sitting with lanterns in front of them. You saw the picture. There was a lantern in front, but a fan was running behind them," he said.

He questioned the criticism, saying those now raising the issue had also been involved in decisions concerning the third gas vessel when they were in government.

"This is their recklessness. Their friends and colleagues were also in charge of the government. What did they do then? They were the ones who cancelled permission for the third vessel. Their government cancelled it. Now we have to start everything anew," he said.

Explaining the difficulties in arranging an additional vessel, Tarique Rahman said such specialised vessels were expensive and took considerable time to build.

"These vessels take considerable time to build. They are made in only a few specific countries around the world and are very expensive. We have spoken to the Chinese. They are trying to build a vessel quickly and send it to Bangladesh," he said.

He said he had also discussed the matter with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was trying to assist Bangladesh in meeting its gas requirements.

The Prime Minister said the BNP had a long-term plan to address the country's energy problems and would present it in the next parliament.

"Inshallah, in the next Parliament, we will present our plan for how we will solve the country's energy problems for the people over the next 10 years," he said.
 
Calling on other political parties to present their own solutions, he said the government was ready to consider any better proposal.

"I want to make it clear to all political parties today: if you have a responsibility towards the people, bring your plans before the people. I challenge you-if you can present a better plan than the government's to solve the country's electricity and gas problems, or if you can solve these problems within the next six months, we will implement each of those plans," he said.

Moving beyond the immediate political debate, Tarique Rahman said public service should be measured by what one can give to the country rather than what one can personally gain. "Today, what I received is not the most important thing. What I could give to the country and its people is what matters most," he said.

"Let us keep this thought in our hearts and, taking an oath on this principle, raise our hands in prayer before Almighty Allah for Begum Khaleda Zia," he said.

He said the country should follow the path of nation-building shown by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and pursued by Begum Khaleda Zia during her tenure as prime minister.

"We want to move Bangladesh forward on that path. Let this be our oath on Begum Khaleda Zia's 82nd birthday. Let this be our commitment," he said. 

State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton, Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, and Dhaka-17 constituency representative and Prime Minister's Assistant Private Secretary Abdur Rahman Sany, among others, were present on the occasion.