BNP has urged India to abandon what it called a “big-brother attitude” and to rebuild bilateral relations with Bangladesh on the basis of mutual respect and cooperation.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the remarks on Saturday during a visit to the Mahananda River rubber dam project area in Chapainawabganj.
Fakhrul said resolving the Padma and Teesta water-sharing issues — along with the long-standing dispute over the Farakka Barrage — would be major priorities for BNP if it forms the next government.
He alleged that New Delhi has shown “little seriousness” in responding to Bangladesh’s repeated attempts to discuss water-sharing, including the Teesta agreement. Only an elected government, he argued, would be able to negotiate effectively and safeguard national interests.
“If BNP forms the government, we will do everything possible to secure Bangladesh’s rightful share of water,” he said, adding that a government with public legitimacy is better positioned to assert the country’s demands.
Fakhrul further accused India of disrupting the natural flow of the Padma River, causing harm to livelihoods in Bangladesh.
“The main challenge lies in fair sharing of the Padma’s waters. Without an elected government, achieving these national interests becomes difficult,” he added.
