Dhaka opposition to protest pacts with India
By IANSThursday, January 14, 2010
DHAKA - Main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has said it will return to parliament, which it has been boycotting for the past seven months, to protest the government’s performance, including signing of treaties with India.
A number of senior BNP leaders said most of the party lawmakers want to return to parliament and stage a strong protest in the house against the treaties signed with India, claiming the pacts would not uphold the interest of the country.
If MPs belonging to BNP, the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami and Bangladesh Jatiya Party join parliament, they will demand holding a discussion on a number of issues, including price hike of essential commodities, law and order situation and the treaties signed with India, The Daily Star said.
During her four-day visit to India that ended Wednesday, Hasina signed treaties and memoranda of understanding on terrorism, exchange of convicts and criminals, sale of power and developing railway infrastructure and access between the two neighbours.
On her return, Hasina said the visit was “a success” and that it had laid the foundation for peace and development in the entire South Asian region.
