Panchagarh, Jan 23 (V7N) — Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has said that North Bengal is not inherently poor, but has been deliberately neglected since the creation of Bangladesh, describing the region as having been treated like a “stepbrother.”

He made the remarks while addressing a public meeting of the 10-party electoral alliance at the Panchagarh Sugar Mill ground on Friday (January 23).

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the alliance aims to transform North Bengal into a hub of agriculture-based industries, emphasizing that the region has long been deprived of fair development opportunities.

Referring to the condition of rivers in the northern region, he said, “The four rivers of North Bengal have been turned into dead skeletons. If the country truly had guardians, these rivers would not have died.”

Using a symbolic comparison, the Jamaat Ameer said, “It is often said that development flows from Teknaf to Tentulia. But that tide can no longer reach Tentulia. We will reverse this idea — we will say that Tentulia goes to Teknaf.”

During his speech, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman also made several election pledges, including the establishment of medical colleges in all 64 districts of the country.

He further claimed that if elected, his party would take steps to recover money allegedly smuggled abroad in the past and bring it back to the country.

END/SMA/AJ