PM refutes BNP allegation of secret deal with India

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Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina categorically said in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Wednesday that she did not sign any "secret deal" with India during her recent visit to the neighbouring country, reports BSS.
While replying to a supplementary from independent lawmaker Fazlul Azim during the PM's Question-Answer session, the PM refuted the allegation of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in this connection.
Sheikh Hasina also asked Khaleda Zia to refrain from giving such "misleading and untrue" information for greater interest of the nation.
"If you have any document in connection with the so-called secret deal, please make it public. Don't mislead the people by giving such an untrue information," the PM asked the BNP leaders including its chairperson.
The PM told the House that the agreements signed with India during her visit to New Delhi was meant for upholding the national interest and spirit of the country's independence and sovereignty as well as the nation's dignity.
Referring to the Joint Communique, signed between Bangladesh and India on different bilateral issues during her visit to India, PM Sheikh Hasina said these matters came up for discussion in the Cabinet meeting beforehand.
The PM criticised the reckless remarks of Leader of the Oppositions and said the party (BNP) always pacifies India while in power and opposes the big neighbour while in the opposition.
"India is good when BNP is in power, India is bad when BNP is in the opposition," the PM said.
Describing her India visit as a fruitful one, PM Sheikh Hasina said this trip has opened a new era in the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India.
Responding to another supplementary from Treasury Bench member Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, the PM said her government has a plan to expand and modernise the Chittagong and the Mongla ports so that India, Nepal and Bhutan could use them.
"It would help generate employment side by side with socio-economic development of the country," the PM said adding that currently only 10 per cent of the Mongla Port and 40 per cent of the Chittagong Port are being used.
On infrastructure development, the PM said the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway would be developed in six-lane road while rail line would be expanded between Chittagong and Cox's Bazar to facilitate transportation of goods.
The PM also told the House that her government was trying hard to resolve all unresolved problems relating to enclaves, communications and 54 common rivers between India and Bangladesh in line with the Indira-Mujib Agreement.