National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam today called the BNP-led government “fraudulent”, accusing it of betraying the people by failing to implement the referendum verdict.
“We can call this a fraudulent government and one that has breached the people’s trust,” he said at a rally organised by the NCP’s Dhaka South unit at Shaheed Faruk Road in the capital’s Jatrabari in the afternoon.
Nahid also said people would not accept a visit to India by Tarique Rahman unless New Delhi was held accountable for sheltering Sheikh Hasina and allowing her to speak from there.
The NCP chief said, “If this government fails to implement the roadmap approved through the referendum, we will not allow it to remain in power.”
He also warned of a movement unless the government addressed the gas and electricity crisis and reduced energy prices.
He said the BNP had claimed before the election that an elected political government would improve law and order and the economy.
“But after the elected government came to power, we saw that the law and order got worse than before. Extortion and corruption also increased,” he said.
He also alleged that the government had broken all previous load-shedding records within five months.
Addressing the rally as the main speaker, NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said any visit by Tarique Rahman to India before New Delhi hands over Sheikh Hasina and others accused of the July Uprising killings would amount to “a betrayal of the people of this country”.
He said those responsible for the killings during the July uprising are still being sheltered in India. From there, they continue giving interviews and posting videos on Facebook.
“Until India hands over those responsible for the July uprising killings --and those accused of killing Osman Hadi, now in Indian custody -- it will be a betrayal to the people of this country, if the prime minister sets foot on Indian soil,” he said.
“Bring them back to Bangladesh first, carry out the death sentences handed down to them and ensure justice. Relations with India can be considered after that,” he added.
Asif said there could be no ties with India until it handed over those responsible for the killings.
Responding to statements by Hasina and other Awami League leaders about returning to Bangladesh, Asif said the NCP also wants them to return to face trial.
“We hear from across the border that Sheikh Hasina wants to return to Bangladesh. Awami League leaders are also giving interviews in different places, saying they want to return,” he said.
“We also want you [Hasina] to come. The families of the martyrs and our mothers pray every day that those responsible for killing their children are brought to justice. If Sheikh Hasina returns, we are ready to ensure justice,” he added.
Speaking about the presidential election, Asif accused the BNP of disregarding the July Charter by holding the election under the existing provisions of Article 70.
He said the NCP did not want Article 70 to be applied in the case of presidential election and in turn allowed MPs to vote freely.
