BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her party are indulging in 'anti-state activities' by setting up coal-fired power plant near the Sundarbans, reports UNB. "I want to say who (PM) is talking in favour of it, and the party that is doing it (setting up Rampal plant) are indulging in anti-state activities...they can't do it as the country is not their paternal property, " she said.
Hours after the PM's press conference on Rampal power plant, Khaleda came up with the allegations while exchanging greetings with Hindu community members at her Gulshan office marking Janmashtami. She warned that the Prime Minister and the government will have to be accountable to people when it will be out of power for implementing Rampal power plant near the Sundarbans sacrificing the country's interest.
The BNP chief also called upon the country's people to get united and raise their voice against Rampal plant, saying the government will be forced to retreat from its decision if a united and strong movement can be launched.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her press conference smelt a rat behind BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's sudden open stance against the proposed coal-fired power plant at Rampal.
"The cat finally came out of the bag on August 24. I used to think what was the source of power or instigation of those on a movement against Rampal power plant. It's now clear as Khaleda Zia openly joined the false campaign through a press conference, though she has long been instigating them from behind the scene," she said.
Reacting to the PM's comment, the BNP chief said Sheikh Hasina came up with observations at the press conference as she felt heartburn seeing her press conference against the power plant near the Sundarbans.
She also asked the Prime Minister to explain in what respect the information she had given in her August 24 press conference on Rampal power plant was 'wrong and incorrect'.
Countering the Prime Minister's comment that Rampal power plant will neither affect the Sundarbans nor environment, Khaleda said, "The country will be affected badly and we'll lose everything if the plant is built there at Rampal. Sundarbans is our national resource and it's a duty of all of us to protect it."
She said the Indian government has not allowed this project to be implemented in their own country in the face of people's protest. "As their government is democratic and elected one it hounured people's sentiment and annulled this project there." Khaleda, however, said they are not against the power plant, and it can be set up any other suitable place in the country instead of Rampal. Awami League has been doing many things against the country's interests, the BNP chief said adding, she will present before people all the anti-state activities by the government in the days to come.