BNP losing its existence: Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday said BNP is gradually losing its popularity and existence as they always react negatively to any initiative taken by the government.

He came up with the remarks while inaugurating a workshop titled "Social Media for Increasing Employability" at the auditorium of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh.

The programme was organised by the Science and Technology Subcommittee of the ruling party.

Accusing the government of violating the constitution by signing 'anti-state' bilateral documents with India, BNP on Sunday demanded annulment of the deals Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina signed on Saturday.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also demanded that the Prime Minister step down for breaching her constitutional oath by signing 'unilateral' documents with India to protect her own interests sacrificing the national ones.

Rizvi also said Sheikh Hasina has lost all the constitutional rights to remain in the post of Prime Minister by signing the documents with India as she only protected the interests of the neighbouring country.

Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, said there is nothing unconstitutional and undemocratic in the memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed with India. "MoUs aren't the final decision. BNP has forgotten the meaning of MoU as they have not been in power for long."

He also urged BNP not to mislead people through their trickery terming the MoUs 'anti-state'.

Quader said the Prime Minister never builds relationship with any country sacrificing the national interests. "Relationship with other countries has been strengthened protecting national interests. Only Sheikh Hasina has the ability to bargain for protecting the national interests by any means," he said.

On Saturday, Bangladesh and India signed seven bilateral documents after a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

About the arrest of Jubo League's Dhaka South unit President Ismail Hossain Samrat for his alleged involvement in casino business, the ruling party leader said no one except Sheikh Hasina is the integral part of the party.