Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Friday warned that people will not accept any other country's interference in Bangladesh's internal affairs.

"As Bangladesh has achieved huge progress over the last 25 years, many countries now want to interfere in its internal matters and they want to weaken the country making their way in the name of development," she said.

Khaleda Zia further said when Bangladesh population was 8 crore, they liberated the country through a war with their united efforts. "Now the country's 16-17 crore people are united and they need nobody's help. We would like to clearly say we want to see all (countries) as our friends but we'll never accept if anyone tries to be our master in the name of friendship."

The BNP chief made the remarks while inaugurating a cultural programme, arranged by Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas), in front of BNP's Nayapaltan central office to welcome the Bangla New Year 1424.

The former prime minister wished the country's people and her party leaders and activists a 'Shuvo Nababarsha'.

She hoped that people's all hopes and aspirations will be fulfilled in the new Bangla year.

The BNP chief said her party wants to ensure democracy, development, peace, people's welfare, employment, education, health and other services.

"A national unity is now very crucial to restore democracy and ensure public welfare. BNP always believes in the national unity and people's welfare. It'll be possible to ensure country's development if we remain united," she said.

Khaleda Zia said her party wants to free the country from terrorism, killing, enforced disappearance and militant attacks. "We'll establish peace and good governance foiling all plots. Let's take a vow on the first day of the New Year. We'll ensure public welfare removing their sorrows and sufferings."

Referring to recent flashflood that hit the country's haor areas, the BNP chief said the poor farmers in the affected areas are going through immense sufferings as the flood caused by onrush of water from Indian hills damaged their crops and croplands. "We must stand by these poor farmers and extend our cooperation to them so that they can overcome the losses."

Mentioning that water crisis is a serious problem for Bangladeshi farmers during dry season, she urged India to give Bangladesh its due share of water from the common rivers, including the Teesta.

Khaleda Zia alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her recent India visit could not raise the issues relating to interest of the country and its people and their rights.

She has given the country's everything to the neighbouring country without thinking the interest of her own country's people, she said. "She (PM) also couldn't bring anything in exchange for it."

The BNP chairperson said Sheikh Hasina could have told India that she would not sign so many deals and MoUs had the due share of Teesta water not ensured. "We could have stood beside her and supported her had she done it.''

She said she will wage a movement to ensure the rights and interest of the country's people. "We'll inshallah become successful.''