BNP’s Moudud calls government to disclose deals with India to public

BNP has strongly urged the government to make all deals with India public so that people can have their say on anything going against their interest.

BNP Standing Committee Member Moudud Ahmed made the call on Saturday morning when a bilateral talk between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi was on in New Delhi.

“Do not sign any defence deal that may turn our army weaker and make them less capable and less self-reliant,” he said while addressing a programme of National People’s Party (NPP) at Dhaka’s National Press Club.

“All agreements and MoUs signed during the bilateral talk should be disclosed. The 160 million people of this country need to know if there is anything harmful for the nation,” he said warning the government.

The bilateral talks led by Hasina and Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi saw the signing of 22 agreements and memoranda of understanding on Saturday.

The agreements cover a range of issues including the establishment of border posts, information exchange, nuclear power, science, technology, electricity, energy and defence.

"Deals and MoUs are the same," Moudud said adding “Because it is a commitment between states. So I would say, do not do anything hindering public interest. People of this country will not tolerate that.”

NPP, one of the major affiliates of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, organised the discussion to chalk out strategies to fight militancy and also in demand of a “poll-time neutral assisting government.”