‘No budging on Teesta share’

The BNP has said a fair share of Teesta waters is ‘the right of the people of Bangladesh’. It has blamed the government for failing to negotiate this issue with India properly. “Teesta waters is an internationally recognised right of the people of Bangladesh,” the party’s acting Secretary General told a brief street rally in Rangpur on the way to Teesta Barrage in Nilphamari Wednesday. The BNP started its two-day march to focus on Bangladesh’s demand for its legitimate share of Teesta waters from India on Tuesday. The party marched towards the barrage in the morning after an overnight halt in Rangpur. Fakhrul said, “We want Teesta waters…We won’t ever stay away from demanding our fair share.” He called for national unity to fulfil Bangladesh’s rightful share of the Teesta waters. The BNP leader said, “Our long march is not against the government of India and its people. We are pressing for the demand on behalf of 160 million people.” The Teesta water sharing agreement was to be signed during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s 2010 Dhaka visit, but the deal fell through because of stiff opposition by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Banerjee continues to protest against the deal, saying Delhi cannot deprive West Bengal to please Bangladesh. She has made this an election issue in her state this time. –bdnews24.com