BNP Came to Power by Pledging Allegiance to Foreign Powers: Odhikar Committee

Opposing the agreement with UAE-based DP World to operate Chittagong Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), the Democratic Rights Committee stated that bilateral commercial deals were never deliberated in parliament. In a press statement issued on Thursday, the committee remarked that finalizing the DP World concession despite evident threats to national sovereignty raises public suspicion over whether the BNP secured power by making covert commitments to imperialist powers.

The statement followed a police baton charge against demonstrators from CPB, Basad, and other leftist groups protesting outside the Invest Bangladesh office in Agargaon, Dhaka, where the 15-year concession contract was being signed. The committee strongly condemned the police crackdown.

The committee noted that both the previous Awami League government and the interim administration had attempted to lease the profitable, nationally operated terminal to DP World, but were forced to backtrack under pressure from leftist and democratic movements. However, the newly elected BNP government has pushed the agreement through despite continuous opposition. Several individuals were injured in the police dispersal outside the auditorium, including Democratic Rights Committee member Seema Dutta, CPB President Kazi Sajjad Zahir Chandan, leader Moniruzzaman Milon, Basad central committee member Manisha Chakraborty, and Chhatra Union leader Asif Zaman.

Alleging that the ruling administration has yielded to foreign geopolitical interests, the committee highlighted decisions such as procuring Boeing aircraft from the US and Airbus aircraft from France, bypassing parliamentary scrutiny on major bilateral trade arrangements, and disregarding dockworkers’ concerns to seal the DP World concession. It argued that blatantly serving foreign strategic priorities within six months of taking office is unprecedented.

The committee also criticized the parliamentary opposition, stating that mainstream opposition parties expecting to govern in the future share the administration’s stance on these agreements and have remained passive both inside and outside parliament. Handing over key operational control of the country’s primary maritime gateway compromises national security, economic independence, and sovereignty. Leasing out critical strategic infrastructure to foreign entities is an untenable decision for which the government must bear full responsibility.

Chhatra Union Demands Scrapping of Deal

In a joint statement, Bangladesh Chhatra Union (one faction) Central President Mahir Shahriar and General Secretary Bahauddin Shuvo demanded the immediate revocation of the DP World deal. Recalling the mass resistance during the 2006 Phulbari uprising against the then-BNP administration, the student leaders warned that if the government ignores public sentiment, a nationwide movement will compel the administration to rescind the agreement.