Conspiracy underway to seize Bangladesh’s coal and gas: Rizvi

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that regional and global powers are carrying out a planned conspiracy to seize Bangladesh’s remaining coal and gas resources.

He made the remarks on Friday, January 16, at the inauguration of a photo exhibition on the life and struggles of late BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia at Justice Shahabuddin Park in Gulshan, Dhaka.

Rizvi said the power plant project in Jharkhand, India, from which electricity is being imported to Bangladesh, had once been cancelled by India’s planning ministry. However, during what he described as a fascist regime, the same project was implemented in Rampal, Bangladesh, which he termed a clearly anti-national initiative.

He said it was never possible to implement such anti-national projects under Begum Khaleda Zia, which is why she was politically suppressed and imprisoned. Rizvi further alleged that there had been a plan to push her towards death by denying her proper medical treatment in prison.

Speakers at the event said Begum Khaleda Zia had continued her uncompromising struggle for democracy and people’s rights until the last days of her life.

The photo exhibition was organised by the Bogura Media and Cultural Forum, Dhaka.