India has become unpopular for sheltering an autocrat: Tarique in BBC Bangla interview
Speaking on cross-border issues, Tarique Rahman said, “Of course, I will demand my share of water. Of course, I will not accept another Felani hanging on the border. I gave these examples to explain our position clearly. I will demand what is rightfully ours”
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said India has become "unpopular among the people of Bangladesh" for sheltering the ousted autocratic leader Sheikh Hasina, adding that he must stand by his countrymen in this situation.
"If India gives shelter to an autocrat and becomes unpopular among the people of Bangladesh, there is nothing we can do. The people have decided to keep their distance from them. So, I must stay with my people," Tarique Rahman said in an interview with BBC Bangla today (7 October).
When asked about BNP's policy regarding relations with India, he said Bangladesh's interests will always come first.
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"Before anything else, I will prioritise the interests of my country and my people. That will guide every decision I make," he said.
Speaking on cross-border issues, Tarique Rahman said, "Of course, I will demand my share of water. Of course, I will not accept another Felani hanging on the border. I gave these examples to explain our position clearly. I will demand what is rightfully ours."
BNP Acting Chairman also said that any doubt over the interim government's capability or intentions are being eradicated since they announced an election roadmap.
He made the statement in response to a question regarding his earlier comment in May when he claimed that doubts were arising in the minds of people over the interim government's capabilities.
"That doubt is gradually reducing since Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus announced the election roadmap. He has reiterated his commitment to the decision [of holding national elections in February] many times since then. All doubts will be gone as long as they [interim government] stick to their commitment," said Tarique Rahman.
Tarique Rahman further said, the population of the UK is 7 crore whereas Bangladesh's population is around 20 crore. So, governing over such a large population is a huge task. An elected political government is needed to govern the country properly, he added.
"The interim government has tried to do a lot of things but everyone cannot succeed in everything. They might have had limitations as well," he said.
Regarding how BNP has evolved over time he said, the main goal of BNP is serving the people and ensuring sovereignty of the country.
He identified two things as very important for Bangladesh - the RMG sector and the remittance sent by expatriates abroad. BNP has started both - development of the garments sector and sending people abroad, he added.
"After the 1974 famine, we see how Ziaur Rahman became the president and made the country self reliant in terms of food. We even started to export food at that time," said Tarique Rahman.
He said, "We saw how all parties were removed and one party politics was introduced through Bakshal. When BNP took power it again established the politics of many parties."
"Yes, we have to go learn from the good endeavours of our past and advance forward," added the BNP acting chairman.
One of the main goals of BNP now is to establish democracy and accountability, said Tarique Rahman.
