|| Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday called upon politicians to shun reckless and confusing politics and instead come forward with concrete plans for the welfare and development of the people, saying the days of the politics of lies and chaos are over."The politics of lies was practised by the autocratic government, and so was the politics of disorder. But you, the politicians, have made commitments to the people for their improvement. So, abandon the politics of recklessness and confusion and present the plans you have made for the welfare of the people," he said.The Prime Minister was speaking at a cheque distribution programme for distressed, helpless and sick people organised on the occasion of the 82nd birthday of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.The programme was held at T&T Ground in the capital's Mohakhali. A special prayer was also offered seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of Begum Khaleda Zia.Tarique Rahman said the days of politics involving vandalism and destruction on the streets were over, as people no longer support such politics. He said the government would accept and implement any better plan proposed by any political party to address electricity and gas crises. "If any other political party gives a plan better than the government's to solve the electricity and gas crisis, the government will accept all their plans and implement them," he said."But if they (political parties) spread propaganda only to mislead the people, they will have to apologise to the people," said the Prime Minister. The Premier added, "A politician's job or responsibility is not to mislead the people; rather, it is the responsibility of a politician to teach people patience and show them the right path."Referring to development activities in Dhaka-17 constituency, Tarique Rahman said people had seen how his representatives were working to serve them."Even cleaning this nearby lake takes six months. These are not easy tasks. But criticism is easy. So, those who are busy criticising should not sit idle. Come to the field, work for the people and work for the country," he said, adding, "Speak the truth. Do not say anything that creates chaos in the country."The Prime Minister said the autocratic forces were still there, while BNP leaders and activists had survived by fighting them on the streets. "Those who are now speaking in a loud voice and spreading misinformation were not seen by the people on the streets during the past 17 years," he said.He said the people could see from the pages of the country's major newspapers how BNP leaders and activists had been subjected to torture, enforced disappearance, killing and brutal attacks during that period.Tarique Rahman said the people of Bangladesh had a big heart, urging political parties to refrain from provocative politics and come forward with constructive plans for the people's welfare."The leaders of a political party made mistakes in 1971, in 1986, in 1996 and again in 2026, when they spread confusion among the people and sold various tickets. I would urge them to come out of this politics of provocation," he said.The Premier added, "If you have any plan for the welfare of the people, present it in parliament and before the people. We will work according to that plan, Inshallah."Talking about the broader development of the country, Tarique Rahman said the people of Bangladesh want to see a change in their fortunes and their beloved motherland gradually moving forward in the world."To move forward and change people's fortunes, we have to transform the 40 crore hands of our 20 crores people into working hands. We have to turn those hands into the hands of workers," he said.The Prime Minister said even when a child is born, it takes around 18 months to learn how to walk. "The government is only six months old. You have seen how we are working during this period," he said.He said the country's overall situation had deteriorated during the fascist rule, with the economic system being destroyed and mega projects being implemented at costs four or five times higher than necessary, with money siphoned out of the country.He said the country's health system had been made dependent on another country, forcing people to travel there for treatment.Tarique Rahman said the fascist government had also destroyed the country's education sector and disrupted the agriculture system, while people had been deprived of their voice. "The people of Bangladesh rose up against all these things. Through the mass uprising, they brought down that government. Afterwards, the people formed their preferred government through voting," he said.Tarique Rahman said BNP had presented its 31-point programme to the people before the election, outlining how it wanted to rebuild the country's economic, health and education systems, create employment through industrial development and training, and support women in becoming economically self-reliant."The very first promise we fulfilled after the election was on this field. We fulfilled that promise to our mothers and sisters through providing the Family Card," he said.He said the government had also stood beside farmers through the Farmer Card and by waiving Tk 10,000 in loans. "At the first Cabinet meeting after forming the government, we fulfilled that promise. Agricultural loans, including interest, of 13 Lakh farmers were waived," he said.The Prime Minister said Bangladesh was an agriculture-based country, but the construction of dams by a neighbouring country had created water-related problems."After winning the election, we wanted to revive Shaheed Zia's canal excavation programme to address this problem. Just as we introduced the Family Card within a month of forming the government, we also started the canal excavation programme," he said.He said around 900 kilometres of canals had been excavated in the past six months, benefiting people in many upazilas by improving water availability and providing irrigation facilities to farmers.The Prime Minister said Bangladesh became independent in 1971, but democracy had repeatedly suffered setbacks. "We have always said that if democratic practices can be maintained in the country, there will be accountability. And if there is accountability, it will be possible to do good work for the people," he said.He said accountability would compel the government to take measures that benefit the people and the country. "You have seen that in rural areas, particularly children from poor families, mostly study at government primary schools. Around 1.2 crore children study in government primary schools across the country," he said."We have decided to provide each of them with one new school uniform every year. At the same time, we will provide school bags to the little children, whether they are in cities or villages. Inshallah, this programme will begin within the next month," he said.Tarique Rahman said the people of Bangladesh elected the present government, and therefore, its foremost responsibility is to work for them. "That is why we initially decided to upgrade every upazila hospital from 50 beds to 101 beds to take healthcare services to people's doorsteps. But three days ago, we decided to revise that to 151 beds," he said."Inshallah, this system will be introduced in all 503 upazila hospitals across Bangladesh within the next five years, where people will be able to receive the healthcare services they need," he added.The Prime Minister said the fascist government had left every sector of the country, beginning with the economy, in a devastated condition, and the people had now decided to rebuild Bangladesh. "As an elected government, we are working day and night for this," he said.