– 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.”
Read: BNP to intensify movement in Dhaka city with 16 rallies in September
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.