Dhaka-8 MP Rashed Khan Menon has asserted that the United States is after Saint Martin's Island and that the new US visa policy is part of a strategy for “regime change”.
“The US wants Saint Martin's Island and they want Bangladesh in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad). They are doing everything to destabilize the current government,” he said during the general discussion on the proposed budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year in the national parliament on Wednesday.
The Workers Party president said: "Those who are friends of the United States do not need enemies. Some time ago, the US imposed sanctions on Bangladesh to keep it in check. Now, they have declared visa policies in light of the upcoming elections. This is not just harmful, it is part of their 'regime change' strategy.
"During our Liberation War, they dispatched the Seventh Fleet, aiming to strip us of our hard-won victory. Amidst a severe famine, they rerouted a grain ship from the Indian Ocean, a calculated move to disrupt Bangabandhu's administration. Their clandestine influence was also involved in the assassination of Bangabandhu. Now, they are repeating such tactics, doing all within their power to undermine the existing government," he remarked.
Menon supports PM Hasina, calls out BNP
Rashed Khan Menon firmly backed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's stance on the matter involving the new policy and sanctions by the United States.
Warning US President Joe Biden to deal with Trump, the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Welfare Ministry emphasized that the Bangladesh government will manage its domestic affairs.
He anticipated an election with the Sheikh Hasina government in place and suggested that it would be fitting for the BNP to participate.
“Tarique Rahman can wait for 2029 without participating in the election. But by then, the BNP will cease to exist. His dream will not be fulfilled,” he said.
All the while, Menon underscored that Bangladesh is progressing and will keep doing so.
Questioning Jamaat's political permission and status
The left-wing leader criticized the decision to allow Jamaat to hold a rally by saying that the police, forcing other groups to shift their rallies, showed deference to Jamaat, and permitted them to conduct a public meeting for the first time in a decade.
"We do not know what sign this is," Menon said.
“The law minister occasionally talks about banning Jamaat's politics due to the government's initiative. It needs to be clearly stated - Jamaat is a party of war criminals, a party of killers. The International Crimes Tribunal has said this. There is no need for a new court verdict for this,” he added.
The Workers Party president pointed out that Jamaat has not deviated from its stance at all. "They have reiterated BNP's demand for an election under caretaker government through that rally," he said.
He described the BNP-Jamaat as "two flowers from the same vine".
Drawing on an analogy, he commented: "A snake will bite if you kiss it in the mouth. It does not respect and any form of compromise or agreement with Jamaat-Hefazat would inevitably lead to the same consequence.”
‘Price hike is failure in market management'
Rashed Khan Menon further criticized the uncontrolled surge in commodity prices due to severe shortcomings in market management.
He pointed out that the Ministry of Commerce's action, or rather lack thereof, in curbing the recent surge in onion prices clearly indicates their disinterest in controlling the market or offering convenience to anyone.
He stated: "The decision to import onions after letting its price increase for 10 days and surrendering the market to the syndicate not only affected consumers but also harmed the farmers."
Loadshedding: A result of flawed import policies
Menon also discussed the state of the nation's electricity, saying: "The pride the prime minister had taken in achieving 100% electrification has been tarnished as most places in the country are plunged into darkness most of the time. The reality is that in rural areas, electricity is sporadic at best."
Speaking about the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Menon stressed that the government cannot avoid the problems by blaming the war.
“The inability to timely import LNG due to its price increase in the spot market and the lack of payment for imported coal has caused the electricity crisis. The root of this issue lies in the flawed fuel import policy,” he asserted.
Digital Security Act
Rashed Khan Menon continued to speak about the ongoing controversy around the Digital Security Act (DSA).
“The debate about the DSA in the country has been ongoing for a long time. Foreigners have also raised their concerns about it. Our law minister has acknowledged that this act is being misused,” he said.
Menon pointed out that the disapproval is not solely from abroad, but the DSA is also stirring worries domestically about democracy and journalistic freedom.
"In view of the concerns surrounding our democratic process and freedom of the press, this act might need total repeal or, at a minimum, revision of specific segments that go against the public interest," he suggested.
