Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleev Rahman Partha has said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman assumed responsibility for the country at one of the most difficult periods in Bangladesh’s history and is now facing the challenge of rebuilding the economy.
“Awami League has left the country in such a state over the past 17 years that the backbone of the economy has been broken. Our Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken charge of the country at the most difficult time in Bangladesh’s history. We have to recover from that situation,” Partha said.
He made the remarks at a roadside rally at New Market Square in Bhola town on Wednesday afternoon, September 2, during his three-day visit to the district.
Partha thanked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for appointing him to what he described as a major responsibility.
“I thank Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for entrusting me with such a great responsibility. With everyone’s prayers, I will carry out this responsibility honestly,” he said.
Recalling his political career, the minister said he entered politics in 2008 following the death of his father, former minister Najiuur Rahman Manju, in 2006.
He described that period as the most difficult time of his life, saying nationalist political forces faced repression during the Moinuddin-Fakhruddin government.
“I had to contest the election under a special set of circumstances. At that time, hardly anyone in Bangladesh knew me. In Bhola, my only identity was that I was the son of the late Manju Mia,” he said.
Partha said BNP leaders and activists and local residents worked together in 2008 and helped him enter Parliament.
He added that during the following 18 years of his political career, he had opportunities to enjoy various benefits but instead chose to remain with the nationalist political camp despite facing imprisonment and other hardships.
‘I Want to Remain Manju Mia’s Son’
Partha said he was elected by a large margin in the latest election after only 12 days of campaigning, crediting the people of Bhola for standing beside him during difficult periods of his life.
“I will remain indebted to the people of Bhola for the rest of my life. I am not an MP, I am not a minister—I want to remain your Manju Mia’s son,” he said.
He appealed to those who voted for him as well as those who did not to cooperate with him so that he could work for everyone.
The minister also pledged to take action against criminal activities carried out in the name of his party.
“No thief or terrorist is from my party. If anyone uses my party to engage in theft, robbery or terrorism, I have one thing to say: commission, GR, TR, KABIKHA or contracting—none of these are in my blood or my family,” he said.
Partha said he depended only on Allah and the people and promised that his door would remain open to everyone, including members and supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh.
“Whoever wants to undertake development work, come to me. There will be no politics of revenge in Bhola,” he said.
He also pledged that there would be no violence, extortion or tender-related manipulation in the district.
Speaking about development plans for Bhola, Partha said all four MPs from the district, along with Speaker Major Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, had raised the issue of the Bhola-Barishal Bridge in Parliament.
He said they were working together on the project and that it was awaiting approval.
Partha also said Tk 120 crore had been allocated for a medical college in Bhola, while Tk 700 crore had been allocated for river erosion prevention and Tk 500 crore for road repairs.
Regarding the proposed Bhola-Barishal bridge, he said the government was also considering an alternative route through Hizla-Muladi and Shariatpur to Dhaka, which he said could reduce travel time by around 40 minutes.
He urged people not to spread confusion or create divisions over the issue.
“We will carry out the greatest possible development work in Bhola together. We will move forward by taking everyone with us, including the opposition,” he said.
This was Partha’s first visit to his electoral constituency of Bhola since assuming office as Information and Broadcasting Minister.
He arrived at Bhola Ferry Ghat by river after travelling by road through Barishal at around 12:30pm.
District Commissioner Dr Shamim Rahman, Police Superintendent Md Shahidullah Kawsar, BNP convenor Alhaj Golam Nabi Alamgir, member secretary Md Raisul Alam, district BJP president Amirul Islam Ratan, general secretary Motasim Billah and other party leaders and activists welcomed him with flowers.
Thousands of party supporters also stood along both sides of the road to welcome him as he travelled from the ferry terminal to the town.
Later, a police contingent presented him with a guard of honour at his residence.
In the afternoon, Partha travelled to his ancestral home in Uttar Dighaldhi Union of Sadar upazila, where he visited the grave of his late father, former minister Najiuur Rahman Manju.
