Swamy's 'threat to capture B'desh' unwarranted: BNP

Terming unexpected Indian BJP leader Subramanian Swamy's "threat to capture Bangladesh", BNP urged him on Sunday to withdraw his remark, reports UNB.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also criticised the government for not registering any protest against such a comment.

"Indian ruling party BJP's influential leader Subramanian Swamy at a recent press conference threatened to capture Bangladesh if continued repression on Hindus is not stopped. But our government didn't give any reaction to it," he said.

The BNP leader further said his (Swami's) threat against Bangladesh independence and sovereignty is unwarranted and undiplomatic. "We strongly condemn it and urge him to withdraw his comment."

Rizvi said the government's silence over Swamy's comment has not only exposed the government's knee-jerking foreign policy but also its utter failure to protect the dignity of the country's independence and sovereignty.

He alleged that the government is not raising its voice against the BJP leaders comment only to cling to power. "The current government doesn't represent country's people as it is ruling the country as the representative of others."

The BNP leader said their party believes in ensuring the constitutional rights of all irrespective of their religion and colour. He urged the government to look into the BJP leader's allegation about the repression on Hindus and take effective steps in this regard.