Tarique Rahman Pledges Low-Interest Loans for Overseas Jobseekers in Dhaka-17 Rally

Addressing the crowd in his own constituency, Dhaka-17, on the final day of the metropolitan campaign, Rahman emphasized that no citizen should have to sell their ancestral land to fund a job abroad. He vowed that a BNP-led government would establish a streamlined credit system to empower migrant workers and reduce the financial burden on their families.

The rally, which saw a significant turn of events when independent candidate Kazi Enayet Ullah (Rooster symbol) withdrew his candidacy to formally support the "Sheaf of Paddy," served as a platform for Rahman to reiterate the party's "9 Core Promises." Among these is the introduction of a "Family Card" for housewives, providing 2,500 BDT monthly or equivalent essential goods to ensure domestic economic security. He also promised "Agricultural Cards" for farmers, which would include crop insurance and direct subsidies, alongside the recruitment of 100,000 health workers to provide door-to-door primary care for mothers and children.

Reflecting on his childhood in Banani with his late brother Arafat Rahman Koko, Tarique Rahman described his connection to the area as "spiritual" rather than just political. He pledged to transform Dhaka into a modern, discrimination-free city by addressing long-standing infrastructure issues and creating 40 new playgrounds for the youth. As the February 12 national election approaches, Rahman urged the public to vote for a "politics of justice, not revenge," and promised to restore the dignity of religious leaders of all faiths through state-sponsored honorariums and welfare training.