National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam today warned that the people of Bangladesh would not accept any government that tries to run the country by depending on a foreign power.
“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 said while speaking as 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 also raised questions over recent agreements with the US, including an energy agreement and a commercial deal. “Any agreement of national importance must be discussed in the parliament and made public so that people know whether Bangladesh’s interests have been protected.”
He also urged the government to stop blaming the previous interim administration for the measles and energy crises.
Nahid also criticised the government over the law and order situation, saying it had deteriorated in the last two months.
He alleged that women were facing insecurity, harassment and violence, while incidents of theft, mugging and drug trade had increased.
“The home minister is busy lecturing us on the constitution and laws. Those who have taken charge of ministries must perform their duties properly. If they cannot, they should step down,” he said.
Nahid said the government must run the country politically and honour the commitments made to the people 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 (public relations) strategist, go to films or theatre,” he said.
He added, “The people of Bangladesh and the young generation of the July Uprising voted ‘yes’ for reforms. But the current government has betrayed the people and the reform agenda.”
He alleged that the government had denied the referendum mandate, cancelled key ordinances and failed to fulfil its pre-election pledges to youths.
“We have seen nothing of the one crore jobs they promised. The government must answer how far it has addressed the employment demands of the young generation,” he said.
Criticising recent appointments, Nahid alleged that casino operators and loan defaulters had been given ministerial posts, while a sweater businessman had been made Bangladesh Bank governor.
“You present yourself as a people-friendly leader, but the people understand this hypocrisy,” he said.
Marking Farakka Day, Nahid recalled Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani’s historic long march against the Farakka Barrage and said Bangladesh had long been deprived of its rightful share of water from common rivers.
He said the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty would expire this year and urged the government to secure Bangladesh’s fair share through a new agreement.
