The prime minister has lashed out at politicians opposing the proposed Tipaimukh dam in India, not sparing even her political ally.
"One is doing a long march and the other a revolution," Sheikh Hasina said, referring to Jatiya Party chief H M Ershad and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
"I must ask, why did he [Ershad] during his nine-year rule and she [Khaleda] during her two five-year terms did not say a word about Tipaimukh?"
"She remembers the nation's interests when she is in the opposition and forgets them when in power," she added.
The prime minister was briefing the media on Saturday evening at her official residence Ganabhaban on her achievements during the recent tour of Myanmar and Indonesia.
"We have warned India that they will not be allowed to do anything that will harm Bangladesh, and they have assured us…," Hasina said.
"They have told us they are making a hydroelectric power plant. Just as Kaptai does not impede the flow of water, they have assured us that there will be no obstruction to the flow in this project either," she added.
"But we are constantly watching the situation. We'll ask the Indian government for information continuously. If necessary, we'll send our people to surveys," the prime minister said.
Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh on Dec 4 announced that India would go ahead with the plan of setting up Tipaimukh hydroelectric project on Barak river along the Manipur-Mizoram border.
The Tipaimukh project has been a major political issue in Bangladesh. The opposition BNP has been raising it repeatedly to question the rationale of the efforts of the Awami League-led government in Dhaka to strengthen bilateral ties with New Delhi.
Many environmentalists fear the dam would adversely impact, and possibly even drown areas in Sylhet. On the other hand, if the dam stops water, Meghna, Surma and Kushiara and other branches of these rivers in Bangladesh will dry up in lean season, they argue.
"One is doing a long march and the other a revolution," Sheikh Hasina said, referring to Jatiya Party chief H M Ershad and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
"I must ask, why did he [Ershad] during his nine-year rule and she [Khaleda] during her two five-year terms did not say a word about Tipaimukh?"
"She remembers the nation's interests when she is in the opposition and forgets them when in power," she added.
The prime minister was briefing the media on Saturday evening at her official residence Ganabhaban on her achievements during the recent tour of Myanmar and Indonesia.
"We have warned India that they will not be allowed to do anything that will harm Bangladesh, and they have assured us…," Hasina said.
"They have told us they are making a hydroelectric power plant. Just as Kaptai does not impede the flow of water, they have assured us that there will be no obstruction to the flow in this project either," she added.
"But we are constantly watching the situation. We'll ask the Indian government for information continuously. If necessary, we'll send our people to surveys," the prime minister said.
Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh on Dec 4 announced that India would go ahead with the plan of setting up Tipaimukh hydroelectric project on Barak river along the Manipur-Mizoram border.
The Tipaimukh project has been a major political issue in Bangladesh. The opposition BNP has been raising it repeatedly to question the rationale of the efforts of the Awami League-led government in Dhaka to strengthen bilateral ties with New Delhi.
Many environmentalists fear the dam would adversely impact, and possibly even drown areas in Sylhet. On the other hand, if the dam stops water, Meghna, Surma and Kushiara and other branches of these rivers in Bangladesh will dry up in lean season, they argue.
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