BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday accused India of “unwarranted interference” in determining the political course of Bangladesh as part of its move to deepen relations with Awami League.
“Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar at a meeting with the Foreign Minister of the dummy government of Bangladesh in Uganda said India's relationship with Bangladesh is growing from strength to strength,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference at the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi said Jaishankar's statement is partially true.
“India’s ties have deepened with the Awami League, but not with the people of Bangladesh. The people of Bangladesh have lost their democracy, freedom of speech and right to vote because of India's undue interference in determining the future and political course of Bangladesh as part of its efforts to strengthen relations with the Awami League,” he observed.
The BNP leader alleged that anarchy is everywhere in the country as the fascist Awami League usurped power without people’s votes.
He slammed the government for the deepening gas and power crisis in the country and wanted to know the reason behind it since the ruling party talks about carrying out massive development.
The BNP leader said the government has turned a developing country like Bangladesh into an import-dependent state.
Stating that people's right to vote is a prerequisite for people's empowerment, Rizvi said BNP and other democratic parties remain active on the streets to empower people and to restore the voting rights of 12 crore voters.
“Our movement will continue until the country is freed from the grip of corrupt Awami oligarchs and the people's snatched voting rights are restored,” he said.
The BNP leader said the government has arrested hundreds of BNP leaders and workers for three to four months while holding a deceptive election. “Some of the leaders and activists have died in prison due to physical torture while some others and have been maimed. The torture of oppression leaders and workers in custody and during remand has broken all records.”
He demanded the unconditional release of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and urged the government to allow her to receive advanced medical treatment abroad.
In the press conference, Rizvi presented the list of jailed leaders of BNP, including its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and demanded the government release them after withdrawing the 'false and fabricated' cases filed against them.