Stating that the outcomes of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s previous India tours were disappointing for the nation, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they want to see what she achieves this time during her four-day visit.  

Speaking at a discussion, he said, "My journalist brothers sent me a note to talk about the Prime Minister's visit to India. I don't want to talk about this as our previous experience was very bitter and disappointing,” he said.

During the PM’s every trip to India, Fakhrul said, people always hoped that the prime minister would achieve something for the country. “Every time we saw with great disappointment that she only gave (India many things) but did not bring anything (for the country from there).”

He said BNP will give reaction to the PM’s visit by seeing the outcomes. “Let her (Prime Minister) visit first and return home. Let's see what she achieves and then I will comment on it.”

M Saifur Rahman Smriti Parshad organised the programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) marking the 13th death anniversary of former finance minister and BNP standing committee member M Saifur Rahman.

Earlier in the morning, Hasina went to New Delhi on a four-day state visit at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

During her visit, the PM is scheduled to hold bilateral talks and a one-to-one meeting with Modi at the Hyderabad House on Tuesday.

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Fakhrul recalled Saifur Rahman’s outstanding contributions to the country’s economy and development and said Bangladesh has lost a very competent and successful finance minister through his demise.

Mentioning that the nation is going to through a very difficult time, he said had Saifur been alive at this time, he would have undoubtedly helped the country overcome the crisis with his political wisdom. ”He also would have been able to reveal the true face of this regime which has created a hype of false development revolution.”

BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Saifur Rahman had not hesitated to do what was necessary for ensuring the sustainable development of the country and strengthening the economy.

He said Saifur had taken various effective steps like the introduction of VAT to build a stable economy of the country.

The BNP leader said the Awami League government has been getting benefits from the economic reforms carried out by Saifur and thus it is indulging in widespread plundering. “The way this regime is looting public money using the steps taken by him, he (Saifur) would have fought against it if he were alive.”

 On September 5, 2009, Saifur died in a road accident on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway at the age of 77.

Born at Baharmardan village in Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila on October 6, 1932, Saifur was with BNP since its inception as an adviser to late president Ziaur Rahman. He went on to serve in Zia’s cabinet as the first commerce minister and then the finance minister.