BNP to go for protest if no Teesta deal

BNP will announce a protest programme if the much talked-about Teesta water sharing deal is not signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day Dhaka visit from June 6.

"We expect that the Teesta deal would be signed... We will welcome if it is signed. Otherwise, we will raise our voice," BNP vice chairman Abdullah Al Noman told a programme at the capital's Jatiya Press Club, marking the 34th death anniversary of party founder Ziaur Rahman. Referring to recent media reports that BNP has changed into a pro-India political party now, he said, "BNP is a liberal political party that always upholds people's interests."

BNP wants a due share of the Teesta water, equal trade facilities and details of the transit facilities, he added. "We have nothing to say if anyone sees BNP's such stance as anti-Indian politics."

On Sunday, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj announced that the Teesta deal would not be signed during Modi's visit because the country's central government had to take on board the views of West Bengal's government.

BNP's Assaduzzaman Ripon yesterday in a statement alleged that the law enforces had barred Zia's death anniversary programmes across the country. Without specifying any incident, he condemned the "act" that law enforcers did not allow them to distribute food among the poor people on the occasion.