BNP on Wednesday urged the government to raise the issue of ensuring fair share of water of 58 common rivers with India, including Teesta, at the United Nations (UN).
“You (govt) have failed to realise people’s demand for ensuring the due share of water of the common rivers. We call upon you to immediately raise the issue of getting fair share of water of 58 common rivers, including Teesta, at the UN to resolve the problem with its involvement,” said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
He came up with the remarks while speaking at a human chain programme arranged by Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal in front of the Jatiya Press Club.The BNP leader also called for forging a national unity over the water issue. “Let’s all parties, individuals and organisations get united to realise our justified rights. “We want to get the fair share of water of all the common rivers, not any favour or kindness of any country.”
He alleged that government cannot bargain over having the fair share of water of Teesta and other rivers due to its subservient foreign policy. “The current regime is failing to protect the country’s interests as it has been in power by force without people’s mandate and votes.”
Referring to recent flashflood caused by the onrush of water from upstream India, the BNP leader said the neighbouring country opens the gates of its embankments during rainy season that cause the flood in the downstream Bangladesh. “It’s an unjustified act.”
Fakhrul claimed that their party has been on a movement to ensure people’s rights and protect the country’s independence and sovereignty instead of only going to power.
He alleged that the country’s people have long been living inside a prison as the government obliterated democracy which was the main spirit of the Liberation War. “We must come out of it.”
The BNP secretary general called upon the government to take steps for holding an acceptable national election under a non-party administration and neutral Election Commission to install a pro-people government.
