PM’s BRICS decision created a sense of pride: Rizvi

He said Tarique Rahman was invited to the BRICS Summit in his capacity as the current chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), rather than as Bangladesh’s prime minister.

“Tarique Rahman is the prime minister of an independent and sovereign country. You will not invite him as prime minister and expect him to sit on the sidelines. That cannot happen,” Rizvi said.

He said political analysts have also described the prime minister’s decision not to attend the summit as a demonstration of the strength of Bangladesh’s flag, independence and sovereignty.

The BNP leader made the remarks while addressing as the chief guest a human chain and protest rally organised by Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal and Muktijuddher Projonmo in front of the Jatiya Press Club.

The programme was organised to protest what the organisers described as “a conspiracy against Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty by fallen autocratic killer Hasina at India’s instigation”.

Rizvi criticised those questioning why Tarique Rahman did not attend the BRICS Summit, saying they have not spoken about what he described as conspiracies against the country.

Referring to the Adani Power Plant in Jharkhand, India, he said the plant supplies 1,300 megawatts of electricity to Bangladesh.

The BNP leader said the plant had announced that one of its units had broken down shortly after Tarique decided not to attend the BRICS summit, questioning the timing of the disruption.

He also criticised India for not extraditing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina despite repeated requests from the Bangladesh government.

Rizvi alleged that numerous people accused of killing democracy activists have also taken shelter in India.

Referring to a former major accused in the assassination case of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he said the person had fled to India for a long period and was later arrested there and handed over to Sheikh Hasina’s government for trial in Bangladesh.

“If you could hand over that major, why are you not handing over those accused of killing around 1,400 people? Why are those facing trial under Bangladeshi law not being handed over?” the acting secretary general said.

He also alleged that India is plotting against Bangladesh’s political leadership while publicly talking about friendly relations.

“Face to face, you speak very sweetly. But the web of conspiracy you are creating behind the scenes centring on Sheikh Hasina is very clear,” Rizvi said.

He also said several economic indicators are showing positive trends despite the crisis, particularly remittance inflows and foreign exchange reserves.

The BNP leader said the economy is being managed in a planned manner despite the global gas and fuel crisis.

He alleged that some quarters are trying to take the country back to the period before 1971.

Referring to recent developments at Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and elsewhere, Rizvi warned against what he described as attempts to undermine the achievements of the War of Liberation and democracy.

He said BNP, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal and nationalist forces will not allow the achievements of the War of Liberation and democracy to be undermined.

The BNP acting secretary general people who support the War of Liberation will not allow any attempt to reverse the country’s historical course, reports UNB.