DHAKA: The opposition BNP is unlikely to join the upcoming budget session, a key leader of the aggrieved party said Monday, as they faced with the puzzling question whether to condone the ‘Baksal’ government or stay out on the street with the people.

Opposition chief whip Joynul Abdin Faruque gave such a hint on the party stance, a day after Speaker Abdul Hamid’s expression of hopes for BNP joining the budget session, beginning on June 2.

“It will be decided whether the BNP will support the ‘Baksal’ government through joining parliament or support the people staying out of it,” he said while addressing a roundtable as key speaker at the National Press Club.

Bangladesh National Awami Party (Bangladesh NAP) organized the meet marking the historic Farakka Day with its Secretary General Golam Mostofa Bhuiyan in the chair.

BNP standing committee member MK Anwar, speaking as the chief guest, alleged that Awami League is trying to resurrect ‘Baksal’ government in the country—reverting to the one-party system introduced in the post-liberation period.

“The government does not work for the countrymen as it is serving the interest of a ‘particular neighbor’ to be in power,” said the senior leader.

BNP would protest ‘Tipaimukh Dam’ at any cost for the sake of the nation’s existence, Anwar told the meet, referring to another much-debated dam India plans to build on another common river in northeastern Bangladesh, besides the Farakka barrage over the Ganges in the northwest.    

Besides, he went on, attempts of the government are on to damage the constitutional institutions through “politicizing”.

Condemning government decisions to give Chittagong Port and transit facilities to India, the former minister warned: “ BNP along with the people will defeat the destructive decisions.”
The roundtable was also addressed, among others, by President of Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA) Shafiul Alam Pradhan, Chairman of the National People’s Party Sheikh Sawkat Hossain Nilu and chairman of the National Democratic Party Khandaker Golam Mortoza.

BDST: 1402HRS, May 17, 2010
TSA/SMS/MUA