Where has huge gas deposit gone, questions Khaleda

KUSHTIA, Nov 26 (UNB): Opposition leader Khaleda Zia Saturday evening said conspiracy was going on over the natural gas and questioned where the huge gas deposit has gone. Addressing the first public meeting at Kusthia Government College ground at 6:10 pm on her way to Khulna leading the long march the BNP chairperson alleged that the country's resources are being smuggled to other country depriving the nation. Kushtia BNP president Syed Mehedi Ahmed Rumi presided over the big public meeting. On Tipaimukh Dam, she said if the result of joint survey and technical assessment on Tipaimukh dam shows it would cause harm to Bangladesh the construction of the dam by India has to be stopped. Khaleda has demanded joint survey and technical assessment by Bangladesh and India before constructing the dam over the common river Barak. She criticised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for not protesting the Indian government's final move to construct the dam during her meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the recently concluded SAARC Summit in the Maldives. Turning to the farmers' interest, the opposition leader asked the government to immediately procure agri-products from farmers at fair price otherwise, she threatened of taking to the streets along with farmers. The former prime minister assured the big public meeting that if her party comes to power, they will give subsidy to farmers and reduce the prices of essential commodities. She dismissed the Awami League government claim of development activities going on in the country. She said no development work worth its name was undertaken by the government during its three-year rule. The government did not fulfil any of its commitments. Price of essentials has gone up beyond the reach of the common man. She urged people to remain alert about AL move to turn the country again into 1974 situation. On power, Khaleda criticised the Prime Minister's comment that power connection would be snapped to those who will speak against electricity price-hike. She demanded disconnection of power lines to those who have indulged in corruption over power management. The BNP chief urged people to build up resistance to oust the government to protect the country from the expansionist forces. bdnews24.com from Pabna adds: Khaleda Zia has urged the Awami League leaders to join BNP saying that the ruling party is not working to preserving the interests of the nation. "It's BNP which can lead the country. Awami League can't give anything to the country. I urge the patriot leaders of the ruling party to come out of the party. You'll be given honourable posts," Khaleda said Saturday addressing a roadside rally at Dasuria in Ishwardi upazila of Pabna on way to her third road march to Khulna. "I would ask everyone...let's work for the development of the country rising above party considerations." According to the current electoral law, a candidate has to be registered with a particular party for at least three years to contest with party affiliation, while Khaleda's call comes two years ahead of the next national elections. Khaleda started her third road march from Uttara Model Town area around at 10:30 am Saturday for Khulna to solicit public support for reinstatement of the caretaker government system, which was scrapped by the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The opposition leader is scheduled to stay overnight in Jessore and address a street rally Sunday morning there. Apart from the leaders of the four-party alliance, leaders of some like-minded parties, including those of Liberal Democratic Party, have joined her in the road march.