Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has strongly denied allegations that it has entered into agreements with India, dismissing the claim as politically motivated and without factual basis amid the election campaign.
The accusation was made by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer, Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, who alleged that the BNP leadership had signed “three agreements” with India.
Speaking at a press briefing at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan on Saturday, BNP Election Steering Committee spokesperson Mahdi Amin described the claim as “political smear tactics and misinformation”.
“A very influential leader of a political party has made a claim referring to the media, but he has not presented a shred of evidence,” Mahdi Amin said. “There is not the slightest reality or truth to these allegations.”
He said the remarks appeared designed to create confusion among voters during the election period and rejected the suggestion that the BNP had entered into any form of agreement with India.
According to Mahdi Amin, if the Jamaat leader had relied on incorrect information or repeated unverified reports, it would reflect either ignorance or deliberate misinformation.
“We believe this is either a calculated tactic or a case of misinformation. The claims about BNP having any agreement with India are entirely false and amount to propaganda,” he added.
BNP Emphasises ‘Bangladesh-First’ Policy
The Jamaat leader’s comments were seen as an implicit reference to BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who has been leading the party from abroad.
Mahdi Amin said BNP rejects what it described as “negative propaganda, opportunistic politics and smear campaigns” ahead of the polls.
“BNP’s politics is Bangladesh-first politics,” he said. “Under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, national interest, sovereignty and the empowerment of citizens come before anything else.”
He pointed to the party’s previous mobilisation on issues involving relations with India, including protests over water-sharing disputes and border incidents.
“We demonstrated for fair water rights on the Teesta and Padma rivers and protested the killing of Felani at the border,” he said. “Under Begum Khaleda Zia’s leadership, BNP rejected subservient foreign policy and stood firm on national sovereignty.”
Election Hotlines and Fraud Warning
The BNP spokesperson also highlighted the launch of new election hotlines intended to provide voters with information and support during the electoral process.
The party has introduced a telephone hotline, 16543, and a WhatsApp number, 01806977577, to offer legal guidance, receive complaints and gather feedback related to the election.
Mahdi Amin said a significant number of people had already contacted the hotlines and received assistance.
He also warned the public about reports of unauthorised individuals demanding money in the name of distributing so-called “Family Cards” and “Farmer Cards”.
The cards are part of BNP’s proposed social welfare and empowerment programmes and, according to the party, would only be implemented by the state and provided free of charge if the BNP comes to power.
“If anyone fraudulently demands money in the name of these cards, people should immediately inform us and contact law enforcement,” he said.
Responding to questions from journalists, Mahdi Amin reiterated that any attempt to collect money using the BNP’s proposed welfare schemes was “unwanted and intended to create controversy”.
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