BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday said politics must move beyond decades of blame and confrontation, and instead focus on improving the lives of ordinary people and standing by them in times of need.

“Those of us who are in politics—who do we do it for? We do it for the people of this country. In short, in simple words, standing beside the people is the highest form of politics,” he said while virtually addressing a programme in Jashore where BNP provided financial assistance to a three-year-old girl, Afia, who was born with albinism, a genetic condition.

Tarique said true politics is about serving people and easing their suffering, not just criticising rival parties from public platforms. “If politics is only about blaming one another, it does not fill people’s stomachs. Politics must be about what helps people live better lives.”

Referring to the long-standing practice of confrontational politics, he said the time has come for a change in political culture. “We have followed a certain style of politics for many years. Now we need to change it. We want to take politics closer to people’s welfare.”

The BNP chairman said political work should also mean standing by people during natural disasters like floods, storms and cyclones, as well as during personal and social crises. “Going to people and standing beside them in their hardship is the real politics.”

The assistance programme was organised for Afia, a child from Jashore who was born with albinism. Afia and her mother have been living in severe hardship after her father rejected the child and accused his wife of infidelity due to the baby’s physical condition.

Tarique expressed sympathy for Afia and her mother, saying no child should face discrimination or suffering because of a genetic condition. “There are many Afias in Bangladesh, and many helpless mothers like her. They are also children of this country. We must think about them.”

He said BNP wants to support such vulnerable people as part of its effort to practise people-centred politics. “As we stand beside Afia today, we want to stand beside every helpless person in the country.”

Referring to the political changes after 5 August, when an authoritarian regime fled in the face of mass movements, the BNP chairman said the interim government has taken some reform initiatives, mostly in constitutional and legal areas. “But, reforms must also include compassion for vulnerable people like Afia and her mother.”

Tarique outlined several initiatives the party plans to take if it comes to power with public support through the next election.

He said BNP plans to introduce a family card programme to support poor families, with cards issued in the name of women as heads of households to ensure direct support to families.

Highlighting the importance of agriculture, the BNP chairman said nearly half of Bangladesh’s population is directly or indirectly dependent on farming and most people live in rural areas. “If farmers get fair prices for their produce, the whole country benefits.”

He said BNP plans to introduce a farmers’ card to support farmers and help increase production so people can get agricultural products at fair prices.

Tarique also announced plans to revive large-scale canal excavation programmes, recalling similar initiatives during the time of his father president Ziaur Rahman.

He said restoring canals would help address irrigation problems, water shortages, floods and waterlogging in both rural and urban areas.

On healthcare, he said millions of rural people, especially women and children, are deprived of basic medical services.

He said BNP has a plan to recruit and train one lakh health workers who will provide basic healthcare services at people’s doorsteps in villages.

The BNP chairman said the party also aims to economically empower women, building on the free education for girls up to higher secondary level introduced during the tenure of late BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. “If women become economically self-reliant, the country will move forward faster.”

“Insha’Allah, when the BNP forms government in the coming days, just as Begum Khaleda Zia always stood beside you, so too will her party, BNP stand firmly beside you,” Tarique said.

He said one of the BNP’s most important commitments and responsibilities is to ensure employment opportunities for women in this country and to economically empower them on a stronger foundation.

Tarique said BNP has planned to introduce a state-supported allowance and honour system for imams, khatibs, muezzins and other religious leaders if it comes to power through the 12 February election.

The aim, he said, is to ensure that they can live in society with dignity, self-respect and honour.“If we truly want to build the Bangladesh we aspire to, then we must move forward with this oath and with the slogan: ‘We will work and build the country, Bangladesh first.”