BNP calls prime minister ‘autocratic’ on Rampal issue as she is 'ignoring public sentiment'

The BNP has criticised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for what they called "showing autocratic attitude" towards the anti-Rampal campaigners.

During a programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in Chittagong on Saturday, the premier advised protesters to “meet the Royal Bengal Tigers in the Sundarbans and ask whether they were facing the problem.”

"And if the Royal Bengal (Tigers) are left without food, then I have nothing to say…" Hasina also cracked a joke.

"This statement from the prime minister is an echo of the autocratic rulers of the world. How insensitive and autocratic she must be in mocking the people's feelings. It is insulting to the people of the country," BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said at a press briefing at the party office on Sunday.

During the inauguration of the 57th IEB Convention in Chittagong, the ruling party chief said: "I would advise the protestors to march from Rampal to Sundarbans so that they will get an idea how far the project site is from the mangrove."

She also asked the protesters to stop 'shedding tears' for the Royal Bengal Tigers.

Rizvi claimed that 99 percent of the population were against setting up the power plant at Rampal.

"Even our neighbouring countries did not allow the project on their land. And our prime minister is up for laying the project only to obey the foreign power that has kept her going."

Lashing out at the government, the senior joint secretary general of the party further said: "They (government) are trying to implement the project only to please their owners. They are ignoring a global protest."

On Search Committee

Rizvi questioned the neutrality of the six-member search panel that will pick new election commissioners.

BNP chief and secretary general will decide in a meeting tonight if they will propose any names for the panel, he said.

"This search panel is a blind follower of the government. People are highly sceptical if this panel can form an impartial Election Commission. The previous search committee was also in the hands of the prime minister."