Nahid warns against foreign dependence
National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam on Saturday warned that the people of Bangladesh would reject any government attempting to run the country by relying on foreign powers.
Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion marking the first founding anniversary of the NCP-affiliated organisation, Jatiya Jubo Shakti, at BMA Bhaban on Topkhana Road in Dhaka, Nahid said: “One party used to look towards India.
Now, if the new government wants to run the country by depending on another superpower, the people of Bangladesh will not accept it.”
He raised concerns over recent agreements with the United States, including an energy deal and a commercial arrangement, stressing that any agreement of national importance should be debated in parliament and made public to ensure Bangladesh’s interests are protected.
Nahid also urged the government to stop attributing the measles outbreak and energy crisis to the previous interim administration.
Criticising the state of law and order, he said security had deteriorated over the past two months, with women facing harassment and violence, and incidents of theft, mugging, and drug-related crimes on the rise.
“The home minister is busy lecturing us on the constitution and laws. Those in charge of ministries must perform their duties properly. If they cannot, they should step down,” he said.
He emphasised that the government must govern politically and honour its commitments made during the July Uprising and through the July Charter.
“If you want to run the country, do it politically. If you want to be a PR strategist, go to films or theatre,” he remarked.
Nahid claimed that the government had betrayed the public and the reform agenda, denying the referendum mandate, cancelling key ordinances, and failing to fulfil pre-election promises, particularly the creation of one crore jobs for young people.
He also criticised recent appointments, alleging that casino operators and loan defaulters had been given ministerial positions, while a sweater industry businessman was made governor of Bangladesh Bank.
“You present yourself as a people-friendly leader, but the people see the hypocrisy,” he said.
Marking Farakka Day, Nahid recalled Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani’s historic long march against the Farakka Barrage, highlighting Bangladesh’s long-standing struggle for its fair share of water from common rivers.
He urged the government to secure the country’s rights through a new agreement as the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty approaches its expiry this year.
