Threat of movement
Media in Dhaka report that Begum Khaleda Zia has threatened to launch a country-wide agitation programme if this govt signs any anti-state agreement with a neighbouring country. She has hinted at, among others, transit to India, Tipaimukh barrage, water sharing deals etc. We object to her early warning because she is not participating in any process of drafting of agenda that would be carried by the prime minister during her visit to India. We feel she is also not sincere in her talks and thoughts. Had she been sincere, she should have joined parliament just a few days before the state visit of the prime minister and could have raised clauses that she wanted to include or delete from the agreements expected to be signed during the visit. We have a lot of disputed issues with this big neighbour which need to be resolved through mutual agreements for our bigger interest than the interest of neighbours who are already enjoying more benefits than us.
In the absence of agreements we are suffering. So, signing of agreements on the pending disputed issues are our priorities and not the neighbours'. We will have to bargain with the neighbour and reach an agreement on "give and take" principles. I think, her pre-emptive threat is merely politics of hatred towards others and designed to earn cheap clapping from a few who have strong anti-India feelings.
Creating unnecessary panic among public is also an anti-state move. Not only she, no one in Bangladesh will support any agreement if it is signed compromising our national interest. Sheikh Hasina's government will not dare to sign any agreement having anti-Bangladesh clauses.
We therefore request Begum Zia to please lend her hands to the government to work out the necessary bargaining points which will benefit the nation if embodied in the agreements.
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