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BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said their party will announce protest programmes against the recent deals and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed with India during the Prime Minister’s visit, as they believe these agreements are ‘anti-state’.
Speaking at a press conference, he also said Sheikh Hasina’s recent visit to India resulted in the signing of 10 agreements, comprising two treaties, five new MoUs, and three renewed agreements.
“The BNP standing committee meeting expressed concern over these agreements, fearing they may jeopardise the country’s sovereignty and independence,” Fakhrul said.
He said their party has turned down the agreements as they were detrimental to Bangladesh’s interests.
“I want to make it clear that the BNP was founded to safeguard the sovereignty of the country. BNP will take all necessary measures to protect the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh,” the BNP leader said.
He said their party will hold a press conference on June 28 on this issue and announce their protest programmes.
In response to journalists’ questions, Fakhrul, however, said they will not conduct a movement against India, but against the Awami League government for its failure to secure the country’s interests.
The press conference was arranged at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office to inform the media about the outcomes of the party standing committee’s virtual meeting held on Monday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went to India on Friday on a two-day state visit at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
On the second day of the visit, Dhaka and New Delhi signed 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), seven of these new and three renewed to further consolidate the ever-growing relationship between the two neighbouring countries.
Fakhrul said the government has completely failed to raise the issues with India and convince it to meet the demands of the Bangladeshi people.
The BNP leader also said the government has been unable to sign any deal addressing the issue of water sharing from common rivers with India. “The justified share of Teesta water is most urgently needed for us, but instead of addressing that, the government is keen on pursuing the Teesta project.”
He said the government’s main focus on the Teesta project is due to its substantial financial implications. “That money is actually their main intention.”
Referring to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s statement that no discussion on sharing Teesta water and the Ganges should occur without her state’s involvement, Fakhrul emphasized that the Bangladesh government should exert pressure on India to finalise this agreement.
He said the government has not raised the issue of sharing water from common rivers at the United Nations. “We are not receiving a fair share of water from these rivers, which is affecting the lives and livelihoods of the people of our entire country.”
The BNP leader also said the deals signed with India do not address any concerns about water from the common rivers.
“There is not a single word in these agreements about this matter. From this, it is evident that this government is not patriotic; it is an anti-Bangladesh regime,” the BNP leader observed.
He also claimed that only India, not Bangladesh, would benefit from the proposed rail tracks through Bangladesh connecting Indian Railways to the northeast, bypassing the Siliguri Corridor, commonly known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’.
The BNP leader clarified that their party’s stance on the issue is not against India but in the interests of Bangladesh. “Our concern is for our own interests... Connectivity must serve our interests, and we must not compromise on them. There will be no agreement that disregards the fair share of water from the common rivers.”
Fakhrul also criticized the government for not speaking out against the killings of Bangladeshis by the Indian Border Security Force along the border.
“You are saying nothing about it. So, what have you done and what deals have you signed?” he said.
The BNP leader questioned the patriotism of the Prime Minister, stating that she did not prioritise the country’s interests when signing deals with India. “She herself said she generously gave everything to India. But what have you achieved by doing that? You have once again generously given everything to India this time.”
He also said Sheikh Hasina has utterly failed to secure any benefits for Bangladesh from India despite providing all kinds of facilities to the neighbouring country.
Fakhrul attributed this failure to her government’s lacking public mandate and pursuing a knee-jerk foreign policy.
He also accused the government of strategically making Bangladesh dependent on India.