Online Desk: BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Friday warned the government that it will not be able to stay in power for long by working as the “broker” of a neighbouring country, reports UNB.

“We have no reason to be disappointed…our workers are tired but not disappointed. The way our leaders and workers are still standing with their chests straight by enduring torture and injustice to protect the country’s independence, no one, including our neighbours, has the powe to snatch it,” he said.

Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader warned the ruling party that no government could cling to power with the help of foreigners by resorting to repression and suppression.

“Hasina (PM) will not be able to stay in power for long time by brokering our neighbours. Read the history of consequences of those who hanged onto power unfairly for a long time in different countries. Then you will understand that the way you indulged in repressive acts and plundering with your cohorts, you won’t get any scope to get help from anyone and seek forgiveness from people,” he said.

The BNP’s Dhaka South city unit organised the rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office, demanding the unconditional release of Khaleda Zia and other jailed opposition leaders and workers and the withdrawal of the case against Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

Gayeshwar criticised the ruling party leaders for questioning who controls BNP, saying their party’s remote controller is in the hands of Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman.

“Where is the remote controller of your party?” Is the remote controller of your government in the hands of Modi (Indian Prime Minister), or in the hands of Ajit Doval (National Security Advisor) or in the hands of Amit Shah (Home Minister). You have to run on their remote controller,” he observed.

Referring to Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader’s comment that their government would not have held the 12th parliamentary election had India not stood by it amid the plots by many countries in the name of democracy. “So, India is keeping you in power…it seems that democracy means by the India, for the India, by the India.”

He criticised the government for its silent role in stopping the killings of Bangladeshis along the border by the Indian Border Security Force.

Several thousand leaders and workers of BNP and its associate bodies participated in the rallies carrying banners, festoons and photos of Khaleda and Tarique.

After the rally, they brought out a procession at Nayapaltan chanting various anti-government slogans.