AL nervous over BJP win, claims BNP

The BNP leader said there was no reason for expressing joy over BJP’s victory

The BNP is not happy over the landslide victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Indian election and claims that arch-rival Awami League is also nervous.
“The people of Bangladesh are not joyous about the Indian election results,” BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a discussion at the National Press Club yesterday.

“The Awami League has become nervous seeing the result and is making different comments. If you are not nervous then why are you talking so much?” he said.

Fakhrul said: “Ministers of the government have been saying people of Bangladesh and the BNP are happy over BJP’s victory in the Lok Sabha election in India. Where did they see such joy?”

The BNP leader said there was no reason for expressing joy over BJP’s victory.

“Bangladesh is not only a victim to deprivation of water [in its cross-boundary rivers] but also to a multiphase expansionism – from cultural to political expansionism. And alleging India will not bring any benefit because it is working for its own interests.

“India is an independent country and is our neighbour. We expect friendly behaviour from it. It held an election in a democratic manner. We hope that the new government of India will realise the expectations of the people of Bangladesh and take initiatives to resolve outstanding problems.”

On Saturday, Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said those who became joyous about the victory of the BJP were simply unintelligent.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had first congratulated Narendra Modi even before vote counting had ended, Ashraf said.

Fakhrul yesterday alleged that because of the Bangladesh government’s subservient policy, it had failed to resolve the water-sharing problems with India and even protest border killings.

Blaming the government for killing and abduction, Fakhrul said: “People raised their voices after the Narayanganj killings. Such incidents took place not only in Narayanganj but across the country in the last three years. The government has used RAB to eradicate the opposition forces from the country.