BNP senior leader Moudud Ahmed yesterday demanded the government make public the deals and MoUs signed with India at New Delhi's Hyderabad House, reports UNB. "We want you (PM) to make public whatever you've done (with India). Allow us to know the facts. You shouldn't keep that secret," he said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader further said, "Our country's people have the right to know the terms and conditions of the deals and MoUs, including defence one, you've signed with India. The country's 16 crore people also have the right to know whether there's any condition in the pacts that goes against the nation's interests." Moudud, a BNP standing committee member, warned that people will not accept any anti-state deal or MoU, and their party will also oppose it. National People's Party (NPP), a component of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, arranged the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club on election-time government and militancy.
Bangladesh and India today signed 22 documents, including deals and memorandums of understanding (MoUs), covering diverse areas of cooperation, including economic, defence cooperation, power, and peaceful use of nuclear energy, after a one-on-one meeting between Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi, and bilateral talks at the Hyderabad House. However, the much-sought Teesta water-sharing deal saw no light this time, too.
Moudud, a BNP standing committee member, said signing a defence MoU or a deal has almost the same effect as it is a commitment between the two states.
"We've heard India will provide Bangladesh with $500m for mainly purchasing war equipment from India under the defence MoU. As the money will be given as supplier's credit, we have to procure everything without any tender. So, we must accept what price India will fix for its equipment," he observed.
The BNP leader hoped that there will be no condition in the defence MoU that may weaken Bangladesh Army and harm their capability. "There shouldn't have been any condition in the MoU." About militancy issue, Moudud said extremism has spread in the country for lack of democracy. "Militancy will be eliminated if you restore democracy and voting right of people by establishing a representative government." He also suggested the government to forge a national unity together with all parties and people of all walks of life against militancy by identifying it as a national problem. The BNP leader called upon the government to take step for holding the next general election in fair and credible manner through an understanding with political parties.