BNP Secretary General and Thakurgaon-1 constituency candidate Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir formally kicked off his election campaign on Friday afternoon with a road meeting and public outreach programme at Sholthari Bazar under Debipur union, the southernmost part of the constituency.

Addressing a large gathering, Mirza Fakhrul recalled his long association with the area, saying he had spent his childhood, adolescence and youth among the people there.

“Though I am older now, coming back to you gives me renewed strength and the resolve to continue serving you,” he said.

He highlighted development initiatives undertaken during BNP-led governments, crediting Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia for their contributions to the country.

Referring to local development, he said irrigation facilities had been ensured in the area through the Barendra Deep Tube Well Project.

Criticising political rivals, Mirza Fakhrul said Jamaat-e-Islami had never been in power and therefore lacked experience in serving the people.

He promised that if BNP returns to power, women would be provided with family cards and farmers with agricultural cards to improve their living standards, noting that BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has made a clear commitment to these initiatives.

Emphasising security and stability, he said BNP is the only party capable of ensuring public safety.

“BNP believes in harmony and peaceful coexistence,” he added, calling on citizens to unite under the party’s banner to keep the economy moving amid rising commodity prices and development challenges.

The meeting was chaired by Salahuddin, president of ward no. 2 of Debipur Union, and was attended by BNP leaders and activists from the district, upazila and union levels.

SH