Prime Minister Tariq Rahman addressed the nation on Wednesday with a sweeping message outlining his government’s priorities, pledging to restore democracy, strengthen the rule of law, equal rights, curb corruption and build a self-reliant and humanitarian Bangladesh.
In his first televised address to the nation after assuming office, he said, “Not party or political influence or force, but the rule of law will have the last word in governing the state.”
State broadcaster BTV broadcast the address at 9.45pm.
Tariq Rahman said that the BNP government believes that party, opinion, religion and philosophy may differ, but the state belongs to everyone.
“Whether you voted for BNP to give the newly formed government an opportunity to rule, or did not vote for BNP, or did not vote at all – everyone has an equal right on this government… As a Bangladeshi, each of us has equal rights in this country, in this state,” he said.
Tariq Rahman said that the establishment of a self-reliant, secure, humane and democratic Bangladesh is the goal of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government.
He said, “We want to transform this country into a safe land for every citizen. Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian – regardless of party, opinion, religion or ethnicity – whether living in the mountains or the plains, this country belongs to all of us.”