BNP General Secretary's message to India

Photo: Collected

News Desk: Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, said that the Farakka Agreement must be finalized in line with Bangladesh’s interests and intentions.

He stated, “We want to send a clear message to the Government of India: through immediate discussions and negotiations with Bangladesh, the Farakka Agreement must be concluded according to Bangladesh’s expectations. Otherwise, the opportunity that has emerged for establishing good relations with India will depend on the completion of the Ganges water-sharing agreement or the Farakka Agreement.”

He made these remarks as the chief guest at a discussion meeting organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party at the Institution of Engineers auditorium in the capital on Saturday (May 16), marking Farakka Long March Day.

He further said, “We will not allow any agreement that harms Bangladesh’s interests. India must come forward to renew the agreement, and everything will be done while protecting Bangladesh’s national interests.”

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also said that the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty will expire in 2026. He described the current government’s decision to construct the Padma Barrage as a historic decision, adding that the project has been undertaken very quickly in the interest of the people.

He further stated that the people of the country must move forward based on sovereignty and national unity. According to him, if the nation remains united on the question of the motherland, no conspiracy or plot will be able to stand against the country. He accused the neighboring country of committing injustice through the Farakka Barrage, saying that this injustice threatens the existence of a vast population.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also said, “Tarique Rahman’s government is the people’s government. It has been elected legitimately by the people. Meanwhile, a group is engaged in conspiracies and plots, and some forces are carrying out propaganda against this government. We must remain organized so that no one can destabilize the government. A few leaders are speaking against this government. Through this discussion meeting, I want to say that the people of this country achieved democracy with their blood, and they will never allow conspiracies to raise their heads here.”

The discussion meeting, organized to highlight the significance of the historic Farakka Long March Day, was attended by senior BNP leaders, prominent water and environmental experts, and representatives of civil society. Speakers called on everyone to unite in securing Bangladesh’s fair share of river water and protecting national interests.