BNP protests PM's remarks on 2001 polls

The BNP yesterday outright rejected Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's allegation that the party came to power in 2001 through giving an undertaking to sell gas to India.

Terming Hasina's comment “irresponsible” and “unfortunate,” BNP leaders demanded that the PM withdraw her comment.

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“The prime minister often forgets that she is holding an important position and such an irresponsible comment cannot be made by one holding an important position,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told The Daily Star yesterday.

He strongly criticised Hasina and demanded withdrawal of her comment.

BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said the PM's relations with India soured after the procurement of submarines from China.

“But her [Hasina's] relation with India will soon become normal,” he said while speaking at a discussion organised by Bangladesh National Awami Party at Photojournalists Association auditorium in the city.

The programme was organised to mark 38th death anniversary of Moshiur Rahman Jadu Mia. Jadu was a close aide to late president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.

Gayeshwar at the discussion said, “Sheikh Hasina procured submarines from China and signed various deals with it. India wanted to know against whom the submarines would be used. That's why there might be some huff between you [Hasina] and them [India].”

“As a result, Sheikh Hasina is now talking against India. But she will speak in the right track soon...”

The BNP leader also said the government has “masters” in foreign countries but does not have any “friend” there. “But the BNP has friends abroad, not masters.”

Another BNP senior leader Shamsuzzaman Dudu urged the PM either to prove that the BNP assumed power by giving an undertaking to India in 2001 or apologise to the nation for making a “false” statement.

Speaking at a human chain programme, the BNP vice-chairman said, “Sheikh Hasina loves to talk. But sometimes when she speaks, she does not know where to stop. She said yesterday [Saturday] that the BNP had come to power by giving an undertaking to sell gas to India. Usually, undertaking is given in police stations. Had the BNP given any undertaking, it would have done it by signing on any paper."

Dudu asked the PM to produce the paper as evidence. “Otherwise,” he said, “apologise to the nation for telling lies”.

Bangladesh Islamic Party, a component in the BNP-led 20-party alliance, organised the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, protesting the recent gas price hike and demanding removal of Greek Goddess' statue from the Supreme Court's premises.

Taking a swipe at the BNP for its recent anti-Indian remarks, Hasina on Saturday alleged that the party came to power in 2001 through giving an undertaking to sell gas to India.