Govt trying to appease India to retain power
BNP standing committee member Barrister Rafiqul Islam Miah on Monday alleged that the government decided to set up coal-fired Rampal power plant near the Sundarbans against people’s interest only to get India’s support to cling to power.
“The Prime Minister has given nod to setting up the power plant near the Sundarbans thinking that she will be able to return to power through a stage-managed election if India supports it. This is why the government is sacrificing Bangladesh’s interests to India one after another,” he said.
Addressing a discussion, Rafiqul further said, “The government is going against the country’s people to have India’s support to hang onto power. They can seize power, but they won’t be able to stay on for a long time.”
Democratic Movement, a pro-BNP platform, arranged the discussion, titled ‘Rampal Power Plant for whose interest’, at the Jatiya Press Club.
The BNP leader urged the country’s people to get united to resist the government’s move against the country.
Pointing at the Indian government, Rafiqul said, “You’re our friendly country. We always want to maintain good relations with you, but our people won’t tolerate if you stand against them.”
About the next general election, he said the election must be held under a non-party caretaker government as per the will of the country’s over 90 percent people.
Mentioning that the government annulled the caretaker government system without people’s mandate, the BNP leader alleged the government scrapped the system to establish an autocratic rule.
He was also critical of the current Election Commission calling it a government agent. “Expecting a free and fair election under this commission means living in a fool’s paradise.”
Rafiqul said they will not participate in any election unless it is overseen by a noon-party administration and also will not allow any body to hold a one-sided election under a party government.
Source: UNB Connect
