Government must sign Teesta deal: BNP
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Bangladesh on 26 March
Senior BNP Leader and Standing Committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain has demanded that the government sign the Teesta deal during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Bangladesh. On 26 March, Modi is due to join celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's freedom in 1971.
"Every time an Indian prime minister has visited Bangladesh, this government has said that the Teesta deal is not on the agenda but it will be put on the agenda in future. It also shuffles various excuses," he said at a discussion on "50 Years of Independence, Expectations and Achievements" organised by BNP at the National Press Club on Tuesday morning.
"However, this time even before the visit, a minister has already announced that the Teesta agreement was signed long ago. If signed, isn't it mischievous not to have disclosed the agreement to the public?" he asked.
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"Last year, the prime minister of India did not come to Bangladesh because of Covid-19. Though the outbreak of the virus is higher this time compared to last year, the Indian prime minister is coming, which deserves praise," he continued.
Claiming that even 50 years after the Liberation War, the ruling party is distorting the history of the war, Mosharraf said, "Awami League is claiming that independence was declared on 7 March. Our question is why was 26 March declared and celebrated as Independence Day. The then-interim government, not Ziaur Rahman, declared 26 March as Independence Day."
"You [Awami League] claim Ziaur Rahman killed Bengalis on 25-27 March. If this is true, why did you award him Bir Uttom after independence when you were in power?" he asked.
"At present, Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman are being persecuted with false charges, only because they are fighting for democracy in the country. We will continue our movement to ensure people's right to vote," said the BNP Standing Committee member.
President of Jatiotabadi Sangskritik Dol Humayun Kabir Bepari presided over the function. Professor Sukumar Barua of Dhaka University, BNP leader Nabi Ullah Nabi and others were also present on the occasion.
