Fulfilling commitments and honoring political pledges remain the fundamental culture of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), according to Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. He stated that an administration chosen through a free, fair, and credible public vote is naturally compelled to realize the promises it extends to the electorate.

Rizvi made the remarks whilst addressing members of the press on Wednesday at Zia Udyan in Dhaka, following a wreath-laying ceremony at the graves of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The ceremony was convened to commemorate the 46th founding anniversary of the Jatiyatabadi Swechhasebak Dal, the party’s volunteer front.

Criticisms of Past Governance and Broken Promises

Drawing a clear line between political visions, Rizvi offered a sharp critique of the previous Awami League administration’s governance track record. He pointed to commitments made by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ahead of the 2008 general elections, specifically regarding employment creation and agricultural subsidies.

Rizvi observed that despite pledges to secure employment for every household and supply free fertilizers to farmers, the former government left Bangladesh with one of the highest youth unemployment figures across South Asia. He argued that deception, insincerity, and empty promises had characterized the Awami League’s governance framework, whereas the BNP upholds accountability and the execution of its political covenants.

Implementation of Social Safety Programmes

Directing attention to ongoing social welfare commitments, Rizvi highlighted the role of the Swechhasebak Dal in facilitating local community welfare. He mentioned that two leaders from the volunteer organization currently sit as Members of Parliament, making the delivery of state social protection programmes a central objective for the wing.

Key welfare measures and operational milestones outlined during his address include:

• Family and Farmer Cards: The issuance of dedicated ‘Family Cards’ for female heads of households and ‘Farmer Cards’ for agricultural workers has been rolled out to streamline state assistance.

• Agricultural Debt Relief: Principal sums and accrued interest totaling up to 10,000 taka have been formally waived for approximately 1.3 million farmers across the nation.

• Honorariums for Religious Figures: Pre-election promises announced by BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman concerning monthly allowances for muezzins, imams, and leaders of other faith communities are actively being fulfilled.

• Afforestation Drive: Against a preliminary six-month target of planting 25 million trees toward a wider national goal of 250 million, volunteer groups have already planted nearly 30 million saplings.

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

External Relations and State Sovereignty

Addressing foreign policy, Rizvi reiterated the BNP’s position regarding state sovereignty and diplomatic relations. He stressed that Bangladesh remains an independent, sovereign nation committed to fostering friendly ties with foreign partners based strictly on equality, mutual respect, and non-interference.

Rizvi warned against entering international partnerships governed by implicit conditions or unequal terms, maintaining that genuine friendship cannot flourish under restrictive demands. He emphasized that diplomatic relations must consistently safeguard Bangladesh’s territorial integrity and self-determination.

Concluding his remarks, Rizvi noted that public welfare remains at the center 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 volunteer organization will continue to carry these civic initiatives forward.

Senior BNP figures 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, along with regional party workers, also attended the commemorative event.