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The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has said that it no longer wants to see that India exert hegemonic influence over Bangladesh.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday accused New Delhi of repeatedly undermining Bangladesh’s interest in water-sharing and border management.

‘India blocks our water, kills our people along the border, and stops exporting essentials like rice and onions to our country whenever it wants. We no longer want to witness this kind of big-brother hegemony,’ he said.

Fakhrul was speaking at a public gathering in the Chapainawabganj Government College field, organised as part of the ‘Save the Padma, Save the Country: Bangladesh First’ campaign.

‘We want to see India cooperates with Bangladesh on the basis of mutual respect. Otherwise, India will never win the friendship of the people of Bangladesh,’ he said.

Commenting that the Padma River is the lifeline of the entire Rajshahi region, Fakhrul said that millions depended on it for their survival as canals and tributaries across the region remained active only because of its flow.

‘If the Padma dies, we will die with it,’ he said.

Referring to historical water-sharing arrangements, he said that late president Ziaur Rahman had secured the first guaranteed share of the Padma–Ganges waters in 1977, later renewed by Sheikh Hasina in 1996.

‘That agreement will expire in 2026. We do not know what India’s next move will be. And if the next government is weak – unable to stand firmly on the strength of its people – Bangladesh may face further losses over the Padma water,’ he warned.

Fakhrul claimed that only the BNP, if elected, would be able to ensure Bangladesh’s rightful share to the international rivers.

‘No other government has protected our rights the way BNP governments have. The Padma–Ganges is an international river, and our share is not a favour from India – it is our lawful right,’ he said.

He also said that Bangladesh must explore alternatives if India continued restricting dry-season flows.

‘India stops the Ganges water at Farakka. What alternatives do we have? We can build the Ganges Barrage, store water, and release it in the dry season,’ he said.

‘During floods, we can regulate the flow. If implemented, this project will ease our sufferings in the northern and southern districts,’ he further said.

After inspecting a rubber dam on the Mahananda River, the BNP leader told reporters that resolving long standing water-sharing disputes – including the Teesta and Farakka issues – along with stopping border killings would be among the party’s top priorities if voted to power.

‘Ensuring Bangladesh’s fair share of water and ending border killings are central to our politics,’ he said.

Fakhrul again expressed the BNP support for the chief adviser’s announcement that the next national election must be held in February 2026.

‘There is no alternative to this election. Any delay will weaken Bangladesh further,’ he said.

He alleged that the country’s economic condition had deteriorated due to the absence of an elected government.

‘Believe it or not, the economy is in bad shape – everyone admits it. Why? Because without an elected government, foreign investment doesn’t come, project funding doesn’t come. Industrial investors are not sending money. They are all saying: first ensure an elected government,’ he said.

Fakhrul observed, ‘If this election does not take place, if people are once again denied their right to speak, Bangladesh will be pushed towards becoming a failed state.’