Anti-Indian words don’t suit in BNP’s mouth: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today accused BNP of pursuing a “double-policy” regarding India saying anti-Indian words don’t suit in BNP’s mouth as they came to power in 2001 pledging to sell the country’s resources to the next door neighbor.

“It was (BNP leader) Khaleda Zia who gave a ‘muchleka’ (undertaking) of selling gas to India, and doing this, they came to power . . . So anti-Indian words don’t match in their mouth,” she said addressing the 2nd National Council of Jubo Mohila League at the Krishibid Institution auditorium here this afternoon.

Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League president, said her government wanted to utilize the country’s resources for the people first and therefore “(Unlike BNP) I didn’t give any such undertaking”.

“We wanted that the country should have a reserve of gas for 50 years (of need) and only then it should be considered whether we would sell it or not,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said representatives of the neighbouring country’s intelligence agency used to sit at Hawa Bhaban, “the alternate power house of the then BNP government”, before the 2001 elections though the party always talks against India.

“Besides, the persons of a powerful nation also used to stay at Hawa Bhaban to realize undertakings of selling gas from the BNP,” she added.

The premier’s comments came as BNP leaders recently expressed their negative speculated about possible deals to be signed with India during the premier’s planned New Delhi tour.

The prime minister said the 2001 elections were staged to completely defeat the Awami League and taking gas from Bangladesh. “But I said at that time they won’t get gas and the Almighty Allah won’t give gas to them, selling of gas far long words. That happened and they didn’t find gas”.

Earlier, Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the council of the ruling party’s women youth front releasing pigeons and baloons.

Jubo Mohila League President Nazma Aktar chaired the council and AL’s Women Affairs Secretary Fazilatunnesa Indira and Senior President of Jubo Mohila League Zakia Parveen Moni spoke at the function, when AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader was present on the podium.

Jubo Mohila League General Secretary Professor Apu Ukil placed the general secretary’s report, while Organizing Secretary Ishrat Jahan placed obituary reference.

A minute’s silence was also observed as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other martyrs of the August 15 carnage as well as other leaders and workers of Awami League and Jubo Mohila League who embraced martyrdom in different movements of the country.

Source: BSS