Staff Reporter :
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has accused India of betraying its commitment to democracy by providing refuge to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Speaking to reporters after paying homage at the mazar of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in Sher-E-Bangla Nagar on Tuesday, Fakhrul criticized India’s decision to shelter Hasina, who he described as a “fascist” leader.
Fakhrul claimed that Sheikh Hasina fled the country in the face of a “student-people revolution” and is now using her position in exile to conspire against Bangladesh.
“It is unfortunate that our neighboring country has sheltered her. Staying there, Hasina has started a conspiracy to foil the victory of Bangladesh,” he said.
The BNP leader further alleged that Hasina’s 15-year tenure in power had severely weakened the country’s independence and left Bangladesh burdened with enormous debt.
“The people of this country have not viewed the offenses of Sheikh Hasina as narrow ones. Her 15 years of misrule have put the nation in a trap of debt amounting to Taka 18 lakh crore. Moreover, US$ 100 billion was siphoned off abroad during her tenures,” Fakhrul claimed.
He called on India to respect the rule of law and extradite Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh to face justice. “India must show respect to the law by extraditing the offender, Sheikh Hasina, back to Bangladesh,” he urged.
Regarding the upcoming general elections, Fakhrul reiterated that the interim government, formed following the recent uprising, has been tasked with ensuring a smooth transition of power to a democratically elected government.
He emphasized that the interim administration would need time to rectify the damage done by the previous Awami League government.
“The interim government will take a little time to clean up the rubbish the last Awami League government produced. The country’s people will give the time that the interim government requires,” Fakhrul stated.
He also praised the interim government’s efforts so far, particularly in managing the numerous legal cases filed nationwide after the fall of the Awami League government.
“The period of the interim government is only 11 days, so the work it has already done is commendable,” he added.