BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed spoke at a roadside gathering as part of his election campaign in Cox's Bazar. Photo: BSS

COX’S BAZAR, Dec 4, 2025 (BSS) - BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed today said upcoming national election will be a decisive one for the country’s history. 

“After long 17 years of democratic movement, struggle and sacrifice, the people will finally be able to exercise their right of vote freely in the forthcoming election,” he said while speaking at a roadside gathering as part of his election campaign at Peku area here. 

“We shed blood for democracy, struggled for it. Insha’Allah, this time the people will vote in a free environment and it will be a free, fair and globally recognized election,” he said, adding that through this election, citizens’ rights, human rights, constitutional rights and the democratic framework of the country will be restored.

Salahuddin Ahmed stated that the BNP had announced a 31-point reform plan in 2023 to repair the state structure and ensure democratic reforms. The main objective of this initiative is to ensure the economic emancipation, prosperity and democratic rights of the people, he added.

He said if the BNP voted to power, ‘farmer-card’ will be introduced through which farmers can receive agricultural loans on easy terms and all agricultural inputs at fair prices. 

‘Health card’ will be introduced to ensure essential healthcare services for every citizen and ‘family card’ will be launched to provide regular supply of rice, lentils and other essential commodities, Salahuddin said, adding that in the first phase, five to 10 million families will be included in this programme.

Referring to Begum Khaleda Zia’s ‘Food-for-Education’ programme, Salahuddin Ahmed said that providing employment for educated youth is one of the BNP’s main pledges. 

He stated that if elected, the party will create employment for one crore youths within one to one and a half years.

He also highlighted the problems facing the salt industry in Pekua-Maheshkhali and criticized the government for giving permission for salt imports. It is harmful for the local salt farmers, he said and assured that he would speak directly with the concerned authorities to stop this ‘unjust import’.

Later, he met with eight families affected by a fire at Rangiankhal in the eastern coast of Magnama and provided financial assistance to them.

Salahuddin Ahmed’s wife and former lawmaker Advocate Hasina Ahmed, Pekua upazila BNP president Bahadur Shah, its general secretary Iqbal Hossain, organizational secretary Mosleh Uddin, Jubo Dal convener Kamran Jadid Mukut, Swechchhasebak Dal convener Ehsan Ullah and Krishak Dal convener Abu Siddique Roni were present, among others at that time.