Nasiruddin Patwary, a leader of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports (NCP), has called for constitutional reforms in Bangladesh while criticizing the country’s main political parties for their policies regarding India. The remarks were made during a discussion concerning what Patwary described as “electoral engineering” in the nation’s political framework.
In an interview with journalist Saqlain Rizve, Patwary commented on the foreign policy approaches of the Awami League, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the primary opposition.
“In our view, Sheikh Hasina surrendered too much space to India, and the BNP government now appears to be moving in a similar direction,” Patwary stated.
The National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports is a non-partisan civil society organization in Bangladesh known for its advocacy on issues related to national resources and sovereignty. Patwary’s statement positions the group as critical of both the current government and its chief political rival.
The comments address the long-standing political dynamic between the Awami League and the BNP, which have alternated in power for decades. Foreign policy, particularly the relationship with neighboring India, is a frequent topic of political debate in Bangladesh. The two countries share a significant border and cooperate on trade, water management, and security, making their diplomatic relationship a key element of regional politics.
Patwary’s reference to “electoral engineering” and the need for constitutional reform was part of a broader critique of the country’s governing system. The NCP has previously organized protests and forums advocating for policies it argues would better protect Bangladesh’s national interests. The specific details of the constitutional reforms proposed by Patwary in the interview were not elaborated upon in the provided text. The statement focuses on the organization’s perspective that successive governments have adopted similar postures in their dealings with India.
