'India may help restore democracy as it aided independence'

BNP secretary general mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir addressing a rally in front of the party's central office at Naya Paltan on Saturday.

Dhaka, Sept 10 – BNP on Saturday voiced hope that as a friendly, neighbouring country India will support the people of Bangladesh to succeed in their struggle for democracy, just as they helped them gain independence during the Liberation War in 1971.

Speaking at a rally in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also claimed that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina could not make any visible gain from her recent four-day India tour as India is no longer happy with Awami League (AL).

“We certainly hope that India will also support the struggle of the people of Bangladesh for democracy and a democratic system since it helped us in the Liberation War in 1971. We also expect the same thing from all the democratic countries,” he said.

Criticising the government for what he termed its repressive acts and failure to deliver, the BNP leader said the government cannot be given any more time to stay in power.

“They (AL) don’t want time from the people of Bangladesh. Going to our neighbouring country India, they sought more time and steps so that they can stay in power for one more term. I would like to say it clearly that no one can do anything here without the support and love of the people of Bangladesh,” Fakhrul said.

The BNP Dhaka south city unit’s Motijheel, Paltan and Shahjahanpur zone organised the rally in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, protesting the increase in prices of essentials, fuel and transport fares and the killing of three leaders of its associate bodies.

Fakhrul said their party wants to maintain friendship with all countries, including India: “We think that India is a friendly country to us.”

He said they hoped that the Prime Minister would take steps to resolve the outstanding issues with India, including the sharing of waters of the Teesta and other common rivers and stopping border killings and reducing the trade gap during her visit. “They (PM and AL) also expected that India would give them everything, but it didn’t happen as India is also not happy with them.”

He alleged that the current government has ruined the country’s economy by indulging in 'widespread' plundering and corruption.

Referring to a report by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), he said, Tk75,000 crores were siphoned off abroad from Bangladesh last year.

“They’re indulging in mega corruption in the name of mega projects. They’re looting from every project, but not doing anything for the common people. Most of the banks’ funds have now been depleted. So, our backs are pushed against the walls. We must wake up to remove this regime,” the BNP leader said.

Stating that Awami League has long been in power by force, he said a strong unity of people is now mandatory to restore democracy and establish a government ‘of the people’ by ousting the current regime. 

Addressing another rally in the day Mirza Fakhrul accused the government of resorting to repressive acts to subdue opposition ahead of the next national election and warned that it will not help Awami League this time to cling to power.

Speaking at a discussion meeting, he also questioned the justification of the government’s plan to build a flyover in the haor area.

"Several thousands of people have been injured and shot by the government. They’re also filling cases (against BNP leaders and activists) in the same old style. But you won’t be able to stay in power this time by doing all these things,” the BNP leader said.

He said the ruling party will no longer be able to fool the country’s people who are now coming up with strong resistance against the government.

“The people of Bangladesh always established their rights and justified demands through struggles at different times. That struggle has begun again and we believe they’ll achieve a victory this time,” Fakhrul said.

‘Eti Prokashon’ arranged the programme on the occasion of the unveiling of the book titled “Politics: East Pakistan and Bangladesh” at the Jatiya Press Club.

Fakhrul said Awami League is solely responsible for the current crisis in Bangladesh as it has destroyed democracy and the economy in the country.

“They (AL) have established a reign of plundering by ruining the economy and turning Bangladesh into a failed state. There’s now no justice anywhere while the law enforcers have become a partisan force. It’s unimaginable that people are shot without any justification in a country that claims to be a democratic one,” the BNP leader said.

About Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s India tour, Fakhrul said she went to the neighbouring country with only the hope to take measures to retain power.

“She brought nothing (from India). We can't see anything except talking about 153 cusecs of water. A 14-year-old Bangladeshi boy was shot dead along the border the day the MoUs were signed. It happens often. But it (border killings) has not stopped till now,” the BNP leader said.

He said their party wants India to have good relations with Bangladesh. “India is a friendly country to us. We are grateful for their support during our Liberation War.”

Fakhrul said they saw a picture of Sheikh Hasina dancing at Jaipur airport in India during her recent four-day tour. “The people of this country will never accept that you’re dancing going to Jaipur at a time when the country is facing a dire economic situation.”

Referring to media reports, he said the government has allocated Tk 6,500 crore to build a flyover in the haor area. “We’ll see that it will reach Tk 26,000 crores finally. But nothing has been mentioned about its necessity and how many vehicles may use it."

The BNP leader alleged that the government has been moving away from the main problems of the country by taking mega projects and unnecessary projects.

He said, around 42% of people still live below the poverty line and cannot afford two meals a day while most do not get proper health care in the country. “Youth are not getting jobs after passing BA and MA. They are being forced to ride motorbikes and pull rickshaws. But you (govt) are saying that Bangladesh has become a role model for development. This is deception with people." - UNB