Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has cautioned citizens against what he described as deliberate attempts to sow confusion over the referendum and the July Charter, urging the public to stay vigilant against political actors seeking to exploit the issue for personal gain

Speaking on Monday at the launch of Ulashi Canal re-excavation project in Sharsha upazila of Jashore, the prime minister said certain individuals and parties were trying to misrepresent the objectives of the referendum and distort the July Charter to create instability.

He stressed that any effort to manipulate the outcome of the referendum or mislead voters would ultimately harm national progress.

According to Tarique, disorder fueled by political interests could disrupt a range of government initiatives, including welfare cards for women and farmers, employment generation for young people, the reopening of closed mills and factories, rural healthcare expansion, irrigation projects and nationwide tree plantation drives

The prime minister called on citizens to act responsibly to safeguard development gains. He reaffirmed that the July Charter, signed by political parties, would be implemented gradually and in full.

Referring to the mass uprising of August 5, Tarique said the public had already demonstrated that it would not tolerate attempts to disregard its democratic will. He warned that similar responses could follow if people felt their mandate was being undermined in the future.

Highlighting his administration’s broader development agenda, Tarique said successful implementation of current programmes would bring tangible improvements to living standards.

He encouraged collective national effort, urging the country’s 20 crore people to turn their combined strength into a driving force for economic transformation.

Drawing comparisons with global development success stories, he pointed to Singapore’s dramatic progress over the past five decades. If other nations could transform their fortunes, he said, Bangladesh could do the same with determination and unity.

Tarique also criticized past political unrest, recalling periods of prolonged strikes that he said damaged the economy.

He urged supporters to remain alert against any return to such instability, reiterating that Bangladesh remains the central commitment of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its leadership.

The event marked the formal start of re excavation work on the nearly four kilometer Ulashi Canal, originally dug in 1976 under then President Ziaur Rahman through voluntary labor. Over time, sections of the canal were filled, encroached upon and left without water flow, limiting its benefits to local communities.

The restoration, overseen by the Bangladesh Water Development Board, is expected to directly benefit around 20000 farmers and boost agricultural output by an estimated 1400 tonnes.

Approximately 72000 residents are also projected to gain from improved irrigation and water access. The government plans to plant about 3000 trees along both banks following completion of the work.

Earlier in the day, the prime minister inaugurated the project by cutting soil at the site, unveiling a plaque and offering prayers. He also planted a sapling on the canal bank.

Turning to education policy, Tarique noted that women make up half of Bangladesh’s population and highlighted past initiatives under former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia that made education free for girls up to intermediate level.

He announced plans to expand free education for girls up to degree level and introduce stipends for those who achieve strong academic results.

Several cabinet members, including ministers responsible for health, water resources, energy and local government, attended the event.