BNP Vice-Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu on Saturday alleged that the previous Awami League government had tried to turn Bangladesh into a ‘virtual province’, of India.

“It will be difficult to protect Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty in the future without this government. Because the previous Awami League government under Sheikh Hasina continuously tried to transform Bangladesh into a virtual province of India,” he said.

He made the remarks while speaking at a discussion organised by BNP marking the Historic Farakka Day. BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was present as the chief guest.

Paying tribute to Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, Dudu described him as the architect of the Farakka movement.

“I pay my respects to the oppressed people’s leader Maulana Bhashani. I also pay tribute to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, who played an important behind-the-scenes role in the Farakka movement,” he said.

Dudu said concerns over water sharing and Bangladesh’s survival had remained central issues since the days of Maulana Bhashani.“Even today, the struggle over water has not ended,” he said.

Referring to the Farakka Barrage issue, he alleged that Bangladesh suffered major losses when the Awami League government and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman allowed India to experimentally operate the Farakka Barrage without proper discussion.“The damage to Bangladesh began from that very decision,” he said.

He also criticised former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over water-sharing issues during her tenure.

Dudu praised BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, describing him as following the path of his father, Ziaur Rahman, in addressing the country’s water crisis.

He particularly mentioned the Padma Bridge project as an example of a practical step taken under Tarique Rahman’s leadership.

Expressing optimism over the current political situation, Dudu said he believed the existing government would be able to resolve disputes related to water sharing and the Ganges issue through agreements.

“I firmly believe that through negotiations and agreements, the water crisis and the Ganges issue will reach a resolution by December, InshaAllah,” he said.

He also called for public support for the current government and BNP leadership.“We must strengthen the hands of this government. We must support Tarique Rahman and stand united to resolve the water crisis through the government.”.

Concluding his speech, Dudu urged people to remain united in defence of the country’s sovereignty and interests.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Political Adviser to the Prime Minister Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi presided over the event.

Among the special guests were BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member and Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu, BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Ataur Rahman Dhali.

Among the discussants were Emeritus Professor and water resources and climate change expert Dr Ainun Nishat, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam, BUET Professor Dr Md Ataur Rahman, and Jahangirnagar University Professor Dr Nahrin Islam Khan.

Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka Central University Prof Dr Md Nurul Islam presented the keynote paper at the event.