Khaleda Zia has expressed reservations about allowing India the transit facility without charging proper fee.
The BNP chairperson did not name the country but said Bangladesh’s roads and infrastructure can be allowed to used only in exchange for fee.
The opposition chief said the India-Bangladesh deal to boost connectivity was not on ‘equal’ terms.
“You have to pay toll to cross the Jamuna Bridge and go to Bogra-Pabna. The toll is for maintenance of roads and bridges. But others will not have to pay. Many others can use our country, but not give toll or pay money.”
She was speaking in a meeting with pro-BNP lawyers of Mymensingh Bar Council on Sunday at her office in Gulshan.
She voiced her reservations only a day after she attempted to dispel the widely perceived notion that she was anti-India in an interview with an Indian news portal.
“Why should I be anti-India? …There is a concerted propaganda by the ruling government to try and paint me as anti-India and anti-Hindu.”
The interview was taken during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dhaka, at a time when both she and her party were full of praises for him.
At Sunday’s programme, Khaleda put emphasis on friendship on equal terms.
“We think friendship is not possible sacrificing your own interests. Friendship has to be on equal terms…otherwise it is slavery.”
Continuing her outburst against the consensus reached during Modi’s visit for regional connectivity, she said, “Heavy vehicles and goods will be carried on our roads. Will the roads be able to take the load?
“They will break down after some days. We are not blocking their passage. They will just have to pay.”
She also opposed the joint venture with India to build the coal-based Rampal power plant near the Sundarbans.
“A coal power plant project will destroy the Sundarbans. Its natural diversity, vegetation, wildlife all will be destroyed.
“We do need power projects. But in no way should it be in Rampal. It may be done elsewhere.”
Promise to value sacrifices
Khaleda claimed she was working to rejuvenate the party and pledged to value leaders and activists who would make sacrifices.
“No matter what the media say, the party is united, organised. We are organising the party.”
She said she closely watched party activities during her three-month stay in office.
“We will definitely honour those who were active during the movements, those who were dedicated to the party, those who did not betray the party.”
The BNP chief vented frustration at the thousands of party activists being accused and jailed in criminal cases.
“They (government) are firing our elected mayors, putting them behind bars. They cannot do this. We thought we would get justice at the courts. But even the courts cannot do their job impartially.”
‘Monarchy in place’
The former prime minister said the country was not ‘safe’ under the Awami League rule.
“A monarchy is in place in the country. A one-family rule. One family will get everything, will get to see everything.
“That family will get lifelong benefits. Whether the people get food or not, that family has to have benefits,” Khaleda said taking a dig at the family of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, daughters of founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
She also commented the government had lost its popularity and was reliant on the police.
“The police have become so big that they are larger than the government. They are staging enforced disappearances, killing. They now say they are the ones keeping the government in power.”
The BNP chief warned the government.
“It is not possible to stay in power for long using the public.”
Source: bdnews24
