Dr Zafrullah for repealing ‘anti-state’ power deal with Adani Group

Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury today termed the government's power deal with India's Adani Group as "anti-state" and demanded its cancellation.

"Bangladesh's power deal with India's Adani Group has shocked the patriots and sensible people. This deal is against the interests of Bangladesh and it should be revoked," he said.

Zafrullah, also a freedom fighter, made the demand at a press conference organised by Bhasani Anusari Parishad at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in the capital's Dhanmondi area.

He said local and foreign experts called this deal -- to loot the country's resources in the name of electricity import -- as a gift to the Indian government by the Bangladesh government.

"This deal was mainly inked to fill the pockets of Adani. This is a one-sided and very expensive agreement," Zafrullah observed.

He voiced concern that corruption, misrule, money laundering, and limitless plundering in the country have made public life miserable.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, convener of Nagorik Oikya; Economist Prof Anu Muhammad; Junaid Saki, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, among others, spoke at the press conference chaired by Bhasani Anusari Parishad Convener Rafiqul Islam Bablu.

Zafrullah denounced the communal violence in Panchagarh centring an event of the Ahmadiyya community on Friday.

"The government will have to compensate the Ahmadiyya community for its failure to prevent the attack on them in Panchagarh. The head of government should apologise to them," he viewed.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna said the government signed the power agreement with the Adani Group to make a political gain, not to protect the interest of Bangladesh.

Junaid Saki said the Awami League government signed the deal with Adani before the 2018 election only to appease the Indian government. "If India wants to keep a party in power, then they will not have friendship with the people of Bangladesh."