Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday alleged that the government is going to sign a defence deal with India ignoring public sentiment only to appease the neighbouring country.

‘Sheikh Hasina is moving ahead to sign a defence deal ignoring the country’s people’s sentiment to make Delhi happy. India is going to ink the deal with its tested friend Sheikh Hasina to make us subservient and put our independence at stake,’ he said.

He came up with the allegation while speaking at a discussion organised by Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas) at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh.

The BNP leader said Sheikh Hasina is sacrificing the country’s sovereignty, ecology, biodiversity and even the Sundarbans to get India’s blessings to cling to power.

He alleged that the government is not taking any step to resolve outstanding problems, including water one, with India as it has adopted a knee-jerking policy.  

‘Our border is getting bloodstained every day. They (BSF) are killing our people every day. But, the Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister are silent,’ Rizvi observed.

About the country’s current situation, he said there is no democracy and accountability as a fascist and autocratic regime has been there in power.

Turing to Comilla City Corporation polls, he said it is an acid test for the KM Nurul Huda-led Election Commission.

He urged the Election Commission to take necessary steps so that the election can be held in a fair, neutral and credible manner.