Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Shafiqur Rahman said at an election rally in Gaibandha that North Bengal will be turned into the agricultural capital of the country if Jamaat and the 10-party electoral alliance come to power. He made this promise at a rally organized in Palashbari upazila on Saturday morning.
Shafiqur Rahman said that the rivers of North Bengal—the Teesta, Dharla, Brahmaputra and Karatoya—are “gifts from Allah” to the people of the region, but due to government neglect in the last five decades, these rivers have become practically dead. He commented that where ships used to sail, it is now difficult to navigate boats.
Comparing the river to the blood vessels of the body, he said, “Just as the body becomes immobile when the blood vessels are blocked, the lives and livelihoods of North Bengal are under threat due to the degradation of the river.” Blaming the indifference of the past governments, he said that if he comes to power, a comprehensive master plan will be taken to revive the rivers of North Bengal along with the Teesta master plan.
At the rally, he also called for a ‘yes’ vote in the referendum. Earlier in the day, Shafiqur Rahman visited the grave of martyr Abu Sayeed in Pirganj, Rangpur, as part of the two-day election campaign of Jamaat and the 10-party unity.