Tarique Rahman lives simple life, eats lunch for Tk 150 Chief Whip
Waliullah Emran, Barguna
Chief Whip of the National Parliament and MP from Barguna-2 constituency Md. Nurul Islam Moni said that in the office where Hasina used to spend 1.5 million taka every day for lunch, which costs 350 million taka annually, Tarique Rahman eats food for 150 taka. He said a few days ago, not a single penny of the country will be wasted by my hands, as long as I am here.
He made these remarks while interacting with journalists at the conference room of the Circuit House after arriving in Barguna on an eight-day visit around 1 pm on Wednesday.
Regarding Tarique Rahman's life, the Chief Whip said, "On the Day of Judgment, Allah will judge people by looking at their hearts. He will not look at whether a person is fat or thin, black or fair, tall or short. He will look at their hearts. He will judge people by looking at whether they died with faith and trust in Allah."
He also said, "You will also see Tarique Rahman's heart. He wears thick clothes and lives a simple life. I ate with him the day after yesterday afternoon, having lentils, pumpkin stew and fried eggs."
The Chief Whip said, "Bangladesh is lucky that a man like Tarique Rahman has become the Prime Minister. If we waste this opportunity, if he is not the Prime Minister and someone else takes over, will he be able to run the country better?"
Referring to the instructions given by Tarique Rahman, Nurul Islam Moni said that in a special meeting of the parliament, he emphasized on the workers being friendly to the workers. Tarique Rahman said that the workers have to be taken care of. The workers have brought them to this position through 17 years of agitation and struggle. Now they have to take responsibility for their care.
The Chief Whip said, Tarique Rahman has clearly said that there is no place for extortion. No extortion, no encroachment, no terrorism. Strict action will be taken if these activities occur.
Regarding Ferdousi Ahmed Mishti, a member of parliament for the reserved women's seat of the 13th National Parliament, he said, "It is not important that Mishti was expelled. What is important is that legal action will be taken in the future and it will be strictly implemented."
Regarding the local government elections, the Chief Whip said, "Popular people will be given the opportunity to participate in the elections. There will be no party symbols. Instead of rice ears, boats or any other symbols, arrangements will be made so that people can vote for their preferred candidate in a festive atmosphere."
He said, "Relationships are often damaged over symbols. Arrangements have been made to hand over symbols to build relationships and ensure a democratic environment. The purpose of this is to ensure that there are no obstacles to the election of a popular person outside the BNP."
Highlighting the past and present situation of the country, Nurul Islam Moni said that he saw the food crisis in the country with his own eyes when Ziaur Rahman came to power. He claimed that Ziaur Rahman eliminated the country's food crisis within three years of taking office and that Bangladesh, besides becoming self-sufficient in food, exported food and rice to Senegal.
He further said that in the last 17 years, the economy, social policy and democracy in the country have deteriorated. In such a situation, Tarique Rahman is taking responsibility and trying to work sincerely for the development of democracy. Historically, the responsibility falls on the BNP during difficult times in the country. This time too, Tarique Rahman is trying to fulfill that responsibility.
