Bangladesh-India ties must progress without Hasina, Fakhrul tells The Week

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said Sheikh Hasina cannot be a permanent obstacle in Bangladesh-India relations and that ties between the two countries must move forward without her. He made these remarks in a special interview with India's influential weekly magazine, The Week, where he discussed the upcoming election, party reform, and various aspects of relations with India.

In the interview, Fakhrul stressed the need for a speedy resolution of important unresolved issues with India. He stated that a sincere and effective solution, not just discussion, is needed for water-sharing problems. Killings on the border must be stopped, he said, as they are unacceptable in any civilised society. He also called for removing trade disparities equitably. Commenting on the recent cricket issue, he termed it unfortunate and unnecessary, adding that it created negative reactions on both sides and requires urgent resolution through discussion based on sovereignty, self-respect, and mutual trust.

When asked by The Week's senior associate editor Namrata Biji Ahuja about the future importance of the 'Sheikh Hasina factor', Fakhrul said that while she is a factor, it is not impossible to overcome it. In his view, Sheikh Hasina created the current crisis by dismantling democratic institutions and centralising power. He said she would not remain relevant in politics in the long term and that Bangladesh-India relations must be taken forward, rising above her.

Regarding the failure to form a coalition with the student-formed National Citizen Party (NCP), he said the BNP tried, but it was not possible to give them the number of seats they demanded. He noted that while the BNP was confident about its candidates' victory, it was uncertain whether NCP candidates could win with a new symbol, given the immense importance of symbols in Bangladeshi elections.

On Bangladesh's attitude towards Pakistan despite unresolved 1971 issues, Fakhrul stated that Pakistan must apologise for the 1971 genocide, which is the BNP's clear position.

Expressing optimism about winning the national election, he said voters are eager to reclaim their right to vote. When asked if there would be any coalition with Jamaat-e-Islami, he clearly said "no," stating that if they form the government, it would be a government of national consensus with only the movement's partner parties, where Jamaat would have no place.

On Acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman's return to the country and his announced '31-point' reform agenda, Fakhrul said it has created new enthusiasm among the youth. The BNP's vision includes limiting the prime minister's tenure to two terms, ensuring full independence of the judiciary and media, and creating employment for one crore people within one and a half years.