BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called upon everyone to sustain the national unity that was forged to topple the “fascist government.”
He made the call on Sunday afternoon while speaking at a seminar organized by the “National Committee for the Implementation of Padma Barrage and the Second Padma Bridge” at the Brac Center Auditorium in Mohakhali.
Mirza Fakhrul said: “If we can bring our core issues to the forefront and work together while maintaining this unity, there is no doubt that we will succeed.”
He further said: “As a politician, I understand the pulse of my country’s people. They want to move forward, they want progress, they want a truly democratic system. And through that democratic system, we will be able to find solutions to all these issues.”
At the seminar, former Water Development Board engineer Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan presented a documentary on “The Farakka Barrage and Bangladesh’s Crisis: The Padma Barrage and Bangladesh’s Prospects,” while engineer Shahidul Imam presented another documentary on “The Necessity of a Second Padma Bridge.”
At the beginning of the event, the committee’s secretary, retired Brigadier General Abu Ohar Md Hafizul Haque, expressed condolences over the deaths of pilot Taukir Islam and a Milestone School student in the jet crash in Uttara.
Recalling former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s commitment to construct a second Padma bridge, Fakhrul said: “Our leader Begum Khaleda Zia had long ago committed to building a second Padma bridge, and as a political party, we believe this is essential for the survival of the southern region, where people are leaving as the area is becoming uninhabitable. This is not only an issue for the next government but also one that the people must be vigilant about.”
He added: “The livelihoods of nearly 80 million people are connected to the Padma Barrage and Padma Bridge. Despite seven feasibility studies, no final decision has been made yet, which is extremely unfortunate. The adverse effects of the Farakka Barrage are no longer just a problem for Faridpur or Rajbari—it is now a crisis for the entire southern region. Our citizens must unite, and people from all walks of life must raise their voices.”
Brac Chairman and economist Hossain Zillur Rahman said: “At political crossroads, we often use the term ‘sovereignty.’ But sovereignty only becomes meaningful when it is effectively applied to our national life. Sadly, we have witnessed its absence in recent years. The competent and effective application of sovereignty must be at the forefront of our national consciousness.”
CPD Fellow and economist Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya said: “I hope that when a new government comes next year, they will be prepared—technically and politically—to engage in meaningful discussions to secure a just Ganges treaty that protects Bangladesh’s interests. They must begin preparing now so that when talks start next year, we can approach them fully ready.”
Referring to the Padma Barrage project, he said: “If the elections are held in February, the incoming government will have to revise the current budget around March-April, as is the practice. I hope that within this revision, provisions will be made to update and advance this project.”
Former Brac University VC and water expert Professor Ainun Nishat said: “Without the Ganges Barrage, the future of the southwestern region will be bleak. Do you know your country well enough? In the southern parts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, and Barguna, population growth has already turned negative. People are fleeing because the area is becoming uninhabitable.”
He added: “Will the bridge be constructed? Whether it happens or not—80% of that is a political decision. We here deal with technical aspects, but the final decision always comes from political leadership.”