Published in Dhaka Tribune on Monday, 10 March 2014.
Khaleda: No transit for India until Teesta treaty signed
Mohammad Al-Masum Molla
Terming the parliament illegal the BNP chief said there was no opposition there
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday said if Teesta Treaty was not inked and border killings were not stopped transit would not be given to India.
“Road transit was given to India in the name of connectivity but we are yet to get our due water share,” said the former premier.
She said recently the prime minister talked to the Indian prime minister during her visit to Myanmar. Indian prime minister said they could not give water and Teesta Treaty would not be inked. Nothing positive discussion was hold on border killings.
“They have supported us during the Liberation War and that does not mean we have been sold to them,” she said bitterly criticising the Indian stance on water sharing issue and border killing.
She said her party was not seeking help of foreigners rather it was Awami League that was asking for their support to cling to the power.
Issuing a note of warning Khaleda said if the government does not hold an election immediately then it has to pay dearly.
She was speaking at a reception organised to welcome the newly elected committee of the Dhaka Bar Council at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh auditorium in the capital.
The former premier claimed the foreigners said people did not vote in January 5 elections and the election had no acceptability and a few days back the Centre for Policy Dialogue also expressed the same view. “We want to say the government people are eagerly waiting for an election. If you do not listen to them you have to pay the price,” she said.
Welcoming the elected lawyers, Khaleda said: “People do not have any confidence in the government which has reflected in the Dhaka Bar elections. If we can remain united, we will win everywhere.”
Mentioning various irregularities of upazila parishad elections, the former premier said the ruling party men stuffed ballot papers with the help of with the law enforcers.
Urging the government, Khaleda said: “Stop rigging votes and let the law enforcers carry out their duties neutrally.”
The BNP chief alleged the government was using police and Rab like the party’s associated and front organisation.
Claiming her decision of boycotting the January 5 election was right, Khaleda said: “It has proved that fair elections could not be held under Awami League. People responded to our call and did not go to the polling centres.”
Terming the parliament illegal the BNP chief said the government was running the parliament illegally and there was no opposition there. “There is a domestic opposition party.”
She also alleged that the government had politicised the judiciary: “Now the judiciary is not independent. Judges cannot work independently and they are compelled to carry out illegal orders. Now judiciary is controlled and shackled in the hand of Awami League.”
The former prime minister alleged that in the name of joint force drive people were being killed and abducted every day. “Not only we but the world is saying human rights is being violating every day.”
Party’s standing committee member Rafiqul Islam Miah chaired the meeting while Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, Shahjahan Omar and other senior leaders addressed the programme.