Suranjit Sengupta, minister without portfolio, on Sunday called upon the opposition leader and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia to apologize to the nation for writing an article in Washington Times that went against the country’s interest. “Khaleda Zia must say that she wrote the article against the country’s interests out of sheer vengeance, bewilderment and anger. She must say to the nation – forgive me,” he said.
Suranjit came up with the statement while speaking at a discussion meeting on the occasion of the 90th birth anniversary of the national leader AHM Quamruzzaman organised by Bangabandhu and National Four leaders Parishad at the Public Library Auditorium in the city, with its president Sirajul Islam in the chair.
About the suspension of Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), he alleged that BNP is celebrating the US suspension of GSP facilities.
“Khaleda Zia won by selling the interests of the country. Now they are shedding crocodile tears by cutting trees from its root. Such activities would be written in history in black letters,” Sengupta, who is also an Awami League advisory committee member, said. Khaleda Zia on Saturday disowned the article, titled ‘Zia: The thankless role in saving democracy in Bangladesh,’ published in The Washington Times on January 30 last.
About the incident of Rana Plaza, Suranjit said, “Such incident in the history of last 30 years is nothing. It can happen. However, the government has carried out all-out efforts to rescue the trapped workers from the rubble”.
About Nobel Laureate professor Muhammad Yunus, he said, “We respect you as a Nobel Laureate like many others. But you would not do anything that goes against the country’s interest. You will not turn the Grameen Bank into a BNP bank. You would not take side with others.”
-With The Independent input
