BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan yesterday asked the government to step down if it “does not have the courage” to bargain with India over power supply issue.
“We want to maintain relationship with our neighbouring country on the basis of mutual benefits and respect. India will transmit power through Bangladesh. We are yet to get water from the Teesta River. What will Bangladesh get?” he questioned.
Dhaka has decided to allow India to transmit power from Assam to North Western part of the country using three routs including Boropukuria of Dinajpur or Jamalpur.
The capacity of the transmission line would be 6,000mw.
The transmission line in Bangladesh land may be 100km if it is built in Boropukuria and 200km if in Jamalpur, according to a report submitted by the joint technical team formed to construct transmission line between Bangladesh and India.
Addressing a human chain programme at the National Press Club in the capital, demanding release of the senior leaders of the party, Nazrul also slammed the government for extending the tenure of the speedy trial just to send the BNP and its front and associated body leaders and activists to jail.
The speedy trial act got a new lease of life for five more years as the 10th parliament passed its first bill yesterday without any opposition.
The House took around five minutes to enact the “Law and Order Disruption Offences (speedy trial) (amendment) Bill 2014.”
The BNP leader said dual rule of law has been prevailing in the country – one for the ruling party and the other for the opposition parties.