Last Updated on October 21, 2026 9:41 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday (October 20) alleged that the ousted regime of Sheikh Hasina and opposition forces had joined hands to destabilise the country by fomenting labour unrest, citing intelligence reports.
Speaking at a rally in Rajshahi, Tarique appeared to refer to Hasina’s activities-banned Awami League and the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami.
“We have information from intelligence sources. You must have noticed that attempts have been made to stir up labour unrest in factories across several parts of the country. I want to say one thing clearly, in front of thousands of people, regarding this matter that the autocrats who have fled are the ones providing funding there,” he said.
“We say: ‘We will work, we will build, Bangladesh first.’ Those who do not believe in this slogan and principle are now involved in conspiracies,” he added.
Urging people to remain vigilant against attempts to disrupt economic recovery, Tarique said his government was encouraging entrepreneurs to reopen closed factories and create jobs.
Six industrial units have reopened in the past seven months, while around 46 more are targeted for reopening between January and December 2027, he said.
The prime minister also announced plans to double bed capacity at every upazila (sub-district) health complex from 50 to 100 within five years, with separate facilities for women and children and dialysis services for kidney patients.
At the rally, Tarique launched a Tk 12 crore incentive programme for 38,970 sugarcane farmers, transferring funds directly to their mobile accounts and handing cheques to 15 farmers.
He arrived at the venue around 3.25pm. The rally, chaired by BNP acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, drew thousands of party leaders, activists and Hindu community members.
During his Durga Puja engagements, Tarique visited temples in Rangpur, Rajshahi and Chattogram, including the historic Radha Gobinda Dharmasabha Temple.
“People of different faiths have coexisted peacefully in our country for thousands of years. We must ensure that this tradition of harmony and peace continues for another thousand years,” he said while exchanging Maha Navami greetings with Hindu devotees.
Tarique also pledged equal rights for all citizens, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or social status, reaffirming his commitment to an inclusive Bangladesh.