Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Sunday alleged that the government is bringing the militancy issue in the forefront for implementing its anti-state hidden agenda to cling to power.

“The IGP and Rab DG are making contradictory remarks over militancy issue while opposition is being blamed after any incident. These things are giving an impression that the government has a link with militancy,” said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s central office in capital Dhaka, he further said, “They (govt) are bringing the signboard of militancy and extremism to the fore and patronising militancy for implementing their secret agenda to hang onto power by force.”

Voicing concern over the growing militant incidents in the country, the BNP leader said it seems that the militant networks have got expanded.

Rizvi said India is unilaterally enjoying the benefits from the friendly relations with Bangladesh as Awami League government is always ready to appease the neighbouring country.

Expressing their party’s strong opposition to signing defence deal with India, he said there will be no secrecy of Bangladesh’s defence system if any such deal is signed.

“Our independence and sovereignty will be at stake if the defence deal is signed. The country’s people won’t accept any such deal,” the BNP leader warned.