Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday alleged that those calling for not giving the government time to work are acting out of self-interest, not in the interest of the people, and urged people to remain vigilant.“The people have decided that the BNP will run the country for the next five years and work to implement its promises,” he said while addressing a Family Card distribution programme at the Moulvibazar Govt High School ground. The Prime Minister said a quarter that united with Awami League against BNP, and conspired against democracy and voting rights in the past are now saying the government should not be given time.

He asked whether those who say the government should not be given time are speaking against the people’s interests and are driven by their own self-interest.

“Those who say BNP should not be given time are not speaking in the interest of the people; they are speaking in their own interest. What should be done against them? People must remain vigilant against them,” Tarique Rahman said.

He said BNP’s promises and plans are, in fact, the people’s plans, and urged all to remain alert to those who want to derail this.

“BNP does not need to do anything. If the people remain alert, BNP’s job is done. Because the people of this country are the real owners. If the owners remain alert, no one else needs to worry.… I am entrusting the security, development and future of this country to the hands of its people,” the Prime Minister said.

In an oblique reference to the main opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, he said many of those now speaking against the government had not been visible during key democratic struggles.

“Do you remember what happened in ’86? Do you remember that even during the one-decade-long movement, we did not see them anywhere,” said Tarique Rahman.

Referring to the February 12 parliamentary election, he said the people entrusted the BNP with the responsibility of rebuilding the country after years of misrule. “The people have told the BNP to rebuild the country. They have given us five years to put things right,” he said.

The Prime Minister arrived in Moulvibazar from Sreemangal in the afternoon and distributed Family Cards among women from low-income families.

He handed over cards to 10 beneficiaries and formally inaugurated the third phase of the programme by pressing a button.