Politics must prioritise the people, not blame game

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday said politics must move beyond decades of blame and confrontation and instead focus on improving the lives of people and standing by them in times of need.

“Those of us who are in politics, who do we do it for? We do it for the people of this country. In short, in simple words, standing beside the people is the highest form of politics,” he said while virtually addressing a programme in Jashore where BNP provided financial assistance to a three-year-old girl, Afia, who was born with albinism.

Tarique said true politics is about serving people and easing their suffering, not just criticising rival parties from public platforms.

He said political work should also mean standing by people during natural disasters like floods, storms and cyclones, as well as during personal and social crises.

“Going to people and standing beside them in their hardship is the real politics,” he said.

Tarique said there are many Afias in Bangladesh and many helpless mothers like her, and that people must think about them.

“As we stand beside Afia today, we want to stand beside every helpless person in the country,” he said.

He said BNP plans to introduce Family Card and Farmers’ Card to support poor families and farmers.

Tarique also announced plans to revive large-scale canal excavation programmes.

He said BNP has planned to introduce a state-supported allowance and honour system for imams, khatibs, muezzins and other religious leaders if it comes to power through the February 12 election.

“If we truly want to build the Bangladesh we aspire to, then we must move forward with this oath and with the slogan: ‘We will work and build the country, Bangladesh first’,” he said.