Staff Reporter :
The ruling Awami League General Secretary, Obaidul Quader, has alleged that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is engaged in a nefarious plot to disrupt the country’s market dynamics by advocating for the boycott of Indian products.
Quader made these remarks during a press conference held at the Awami League president’s political office in Dhanmondi on Friday morning.
Quader asserted that the BNP’s purported scheme to boycott Indian goods is merely a facade to conceal its ulterior motive of destabilising relations between Bangladesh and India.
He emphasised that despite BNP’s efforts, the people of the country would not heed their call for boycott.
“The BNP’s actions reflect their mental instability and their desperate attempts to sabotage the cordial relations between Bangladesh and India,” stated Quader.
He further added that the boycott of Indian products would not adversely affect the bilateral relations between the two countries, as those advocating for the boycott would ultimately face rejection from the people of Bangladesh.
Quader, as well as the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, condemned the BNP’s aggressive rhetoric towards neighbouring countries. He criticised the party for its lack of political decorum and cautioned against actions that could jeopardise Bangladesh’s regional and global standing.
Highlighting the economic significance of India to Bangladesh, the minister pointed out that a substantial portion of Bangladesh’s essential goods are sourced from India, thereby emphasising the mutually beneficial nature of their relationship.
Moreover, the minister criticised the BNP’s internal discord and inconsistent political stance.
He highlighted the disparity between senior and junior party leaders, with one faction seeking cooperation from friendly nations while another advocates boycotting Indian products.
This inconsistency, he argued, reflects the chaotic nature of the BNP’s politics and its lack of coherent direction.
Critiquing the BNP’s claims of oppression, he highlighted that BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and most party leaders have been gradually released from jail. Despite this, Fakhrul alleges suppression from Singapore.
Regarding electricity imports from Bhutan, the AL general secretary expressed confidence that India would not object to using its territory for importing electricity from Bhutan.
He mentioned the upcoming visit of the Bhutanese King to Bangladesh to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, emphasising the familial ties between the two leaders.
“Our Prime Minister shares familial relations with the Bhutanese King’s family. I believe India will support importing electricity from Bhutan via its territory,” Quader stated.
