BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said their party wants the new Indian government to emphasize on the Bangladeshi people's quest for democracy and credible polls as a cornerstone for fostering bilateral relations.
“The people of this country fought the Liberation War in 1971 to achieve the same standards seen in India, where citizens can elect their representatives, and where the Election Commission and judiciary operate independently,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said their party has been working to attain this goal and to establish democracy in the same manner.
“What we expect from the new Indian government is that it will respect the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh and thus foster relations with Bangladesh,” Fakhrul said.
He also said India is undoubtedly the most influential neighbouring country of Bangladesh.
Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal arranged the discussion at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), marking the 43rd death anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.
Narendra Modi was sworn in as India's prime minister for a third term on Sunday as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won the general election with 293 seats.
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Fakhrul criticized Sheikh Hasina’s government for its failure to ink a deal on Teesta water sharing, resolve water-sharing issues of other common rivers with India, and address the killing of Bangladeshis along the border.
He alleged that the current regime wants to turn Bangladesh into a subservient and failed state consciously.
The BNP leader said the government has misappropriated huge public money by taking various mega projects and constructing mega structures like flyovers.
“What benefits have these developments brought to ordinary people and to those in villages? Despite these developments, people can no longer afford to live in Dhaka. They are moving to the villages. But what a tragedy! Even there, they find no job opportunities. There are no jobs in the country," he observed.
Fakhrul said the growing inflation has drastically eroded the purchasing power of ordinary people. "They (govt) presented a budget which was meticulously designed to facilitate their plundering.”
He said there's no justice and scope for doing business fairly in the country. “Nothing can be done here without bribes. Even no one speaks without bribes.”
The BNP leader said the government has also destroyed the country’s education system.
He slammed the government for seizing the democratic rights of the citizens and undermining the electoral process, which has led to a profound crisis in the country.
Fakhrul also said Awami League has established complete fascism in the country by establishing the supremacy of one family, one party and an individual.
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“Our goal now is to eliminate the fascism and to remove the monstrous regime. There’s one path for us to organize the people and intensify our movement. We’ll defeat them through that movement,” he said.
The BNP leader also talked about the imminent danger posed by climate change, particularly its impact on Bangladesh, where 17 percent of the population is predicted to be affected by rising temperatures.
He said the international community provided Bangladesh with funds to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change. “They (govt) have misappropriated the funds. Their hunger is endless.”