‘Bangladesh-India relation turns into husband-wife relation’: Fakhrul

PBC News:  BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday accused the government of resorting to repressive acts to subdue opposition ahead of the next national election.

He warned that it will not help Awami League this time to cling to power.

Speaking at a discussion, he also questioned the justification of the government’s plan to build a flyover in the haor area.

“Several thousands of people have been injured and shot by the government. They’re (government) also filling cases (against BNP leaders and activists) in the same old style. But you won’t be able to stay in power this time by doing all these things,” the BNP leader said.

He said the ruling party will no longer be able to fool the country’s people who are now coming up with strong resistance against the government.

“The people of Bangladesh always established their rights and justified demands through struggles at different times. That struggle has begun again and we believe they’ll achieve a victory this time,” Fakhrul said.

‘Eti Prokashon’ arranged the programme for unveiling the cover page of a book titled “Politics: East Pakistan and Bangladesh” at Jatiya Press Club. The book has been written by Harun-ar-Rashid.

BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Dhaka City South BNP convener Abdus Salam also spoke at the function.

Fakhrul said Awami League is solely responsible for the current crisis in Bangladesh as it has destroyed democracy and the economy in the country.

“They (AL) have established a reign of plundering by ruining the economy and turning Bangladesh into a failed state. There’s no justice anywhere while the law enforcers have become a partisan force. It’s unimaginable that people are shot without any justification in a country that claims to be a democratic one,” the BNP leader said.

About Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s India tour, Fakhrul said she went to the neighbouring country with only the hope of taking measures to cling to power.

“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited India to seek help to cling to power. This government has turned the relation between India and Bangladesh into the relationship between husband and wife. But, none will accept it in anyway.”

Fakhrul said: “We all want good relation between India and Bangladesh. They helped us during the War of Liberation in 1971. Bangladesh and India are friendly nations. We’ll work together and it is natural. But, you took your relation to such a stage that it appears a relation between husband and wife. A country can’t run in such a manner.”

In July 2019, Foreign Minister had compared the relationship between Bangladesh and India with the relation between husband and wife. In an interview with Indian newspaper ‘Ajkal,’ he said, “Relation between the both countries is very cordial. It’s much like the relationship between husband and wife. Though some differences often arise, these are resolved quickly.”

The BNP leader said the Prime Minister has brought nothing (from India). “We can’t see anything except talking about 153 cusecs of water. A 14-year-old Bangladeshi boy was shot dead along the border the day the MoUs were signed. It happens often. But it (border killings) has not stopped till now.”

Fakhrul said they saw a picture of Sheikh Hasina dancing at Jaipur airport in India during her recent four-day tour. “The people of this country will never accept that you’re dancing going to Jaipur at a time when the country is facing a dire economic situation.”

Referring to media reports, he said the government has allocated Tk 6,500 crore to build a flyover in the haor area. “We’ll see that it will reach Tk 26,000 crores finally. But nothing has been mentioned about its necessity and how many vehicles may use it.”

The BNP leader alleged that the government has been moving away from the main problems of the country by taking mega projects and unnecessary projects.

He said around 42% of people still live below the poverty line and cannot afford two meals a day while most do not get proper health care in the country. “Youth are not getting jobs after passing BA and MA. They are being forced to ride motorbikes and pull rickshaws. But you (govt) are saying that Bangladesh has become a role model for development. This is deception with people.”