Bhola: Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram emphasized today that Bangladesh desires a neighborly relationship with India based on mutual respect and dignity. He noted that Bangladesh seeks friendly relations with all countries, including India. However, he expressed concerns about India's intentions, citing that India has provided shelter to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, enabling her to engage in political activities from there, which he deemed undesirable.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Speaker's comments were made during an interaction with journalists following a meeting with the deputy commissioner, superintendent of police, and other government officials at Bhola Circuit House. He highlighted that the autocratic Hasina government was ousted through an uprising, after which an interim government governed the country for nearly two years.
In February of this year, the people of Bangladesh entrusted the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) with forming the government through a fair election, and the current government is only seven months into its tenure. The Speaker criticized the previous Awami League government for its misrule over 17 years, which he claimed led to a collapse in every sector. He accused the regime of setting records in killings, enforced disappearances, money laundering, and corruption, which pushed the country to the brink of destruction.
The Speaker acknowledged that recovery and development from this situation would take time. However, he noted that development efforts have already commenced, despite the government's short time in office. He expressed optimism regarding Bangladesh's future development, emphasizing the importance of consensus between the ruling party and the opposition to overcome 17 years of deprivation and achieve progress.
Referring to the July uprising, the Speaker stated that both the ruling party and the opposition are committed to implementing the July Charter. He believes that the desired outcomes will become apparent once constitutional reforms are completed. He also mentioned that the people have regained freedom of speech, which was stifled during the Awami League regime, leading to instances of crossfire deaths and enforced disappearances for speaking the truth.
Present at the occasion were Bhola Deputy Commissioner Dr. Shamim Rahman, Superintendent of Police Shahidullah Kawsar, District BNP Convener and District Council Administrator Golam Nabi Alamgir, and District BNP Member Secretary Raisul Alam, among others. After completing his three-day visit to Bhola, the Speaker departed for Dhaka via Barisal today.