Staff Reporter :
The main opposition party, BNP, on Monday accused the Awami League government of making Bangladesh reliant on foreign countries. The party also alleged that the government lied about the rail corridor and other Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed with neighboring India.
“The government is deceiving the people of the country by spreading lies about granting India a rail corridor and the 10 MoUs signed in New Delhi during Sheikh Hasina’s recent visit,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told journalists after placing a wreath on the grave of the party founder, late President Ziaur Rahman, in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
The BNP leader accused the government of conspiring to make Bangladesh dependent on India through various anti-state agreements.
“They (the AL government) have never told the truth to the people of Bangladesh, especially about the treaties and MoUs they signed with India. They have always tried to fool the people by resorting to lies. The signed MoUs mean that they will make Bangladesh reliant on India shortly,” he said.
Mirza Fakhrul emphasized that the rail corridor granted to India will not benefit Bangladesh. “They (India) will use our land for their railway tracks. There will be no benefit for Bangladesh… They have given (India) a corridor in air, land, and waterways. We don’t have any objection to connectivity. The main question is what has Bangladesh gained? We haven’t gained anything as all these agreements serve only India’s purposes,” he stated.
He further highlighted that Bangladesh has not received a fair share of water from the Teesta and other common rivers from India, border killings have not stopped, and no steps have been taken to reduce the trade deficit. “We are speaking the truth about the MoUs. We are not hatching any conspiracy. Rather, the illegal regime is plotting to make Bangladesh dependent on others,” Mirza Fakhrul added.
Earlier, Fakhrul, together with the new office bearers of the Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum, paid respect to Ziaur Rahman by placing wreaths at his grave. They also offered a munajat seeking the salvation of Ziaur Rahman’s departed soul.
Mirza Fakhrul accused the Awami League of establishing fascism with one-party rule in Bangladesh by destroying all democratic institutions. He said the country’s people are not receiving justice due to the lack of the rule of law. “People are also going through ordeals due to financial constraints. Overall, Bangladesh has become a failed state,” he remarked.
Replying to a query, the BNP Secretary General said their party is always against any form of local and international terrorism and militancy.