BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has blamed successive governments for fostering a system that discourages intellectual growth, leading to a surge in brain drain. Speaking at an education-focused event, he stated, “The tendency to govern by sidelining merit has directly contributed to the country’s intellectual exodus.” He pledged that under BNP rule, education and research will receive top priority. “Improving the academic environment and political culture is vital to retaining talent,” he added, calling for coordinated efforts among educators, students, and student organizations to strengthen the nation’s educational foundations.