Staff Correspondent

Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee on Tuesday said the July mass uprising was built upon the foundation of BNP's 17-year-long movement against authoritarian rule.

"Every uprising needs a foundation. BNP created that foundation through 17 years of struggle," he said while speaking at a discussion titled "Unity, Not Division, for Building a Just and Discrimination-Free Society" at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital.

The minister questioned the role of the current opposition during the anti-government movement. "Where were they over the past 17 years? We formed alliances and carried out simultaneous movements. But after August 5, they claimed they alone led the movement. It is undeniable that every uprising requires a foundation, and that foundation was BNP's 17 years of struggle," he said.

The programme was organised by an organisation called Amra Bangladeshi.

Referring to the Awami League, which faces a ban on its activities, Anee, also BNP joint secretary general, said not all of its leaders had fled the country and not all cases against them were identical.

Criticising the opposition further, he said they had not participated in any significant movement against military ruler HM Ershad since 1986 or against Awami League fascism.

"They thought they would come to power this time, but in reality, Delhi is still far away. They have won some seats, but BNP faced organisational problems in certain constituencies, including having multiple candidates. That is why they performed relatively well," the minister said.

He also alleged that BNP had weaknesses in expatriate voting in several constituencies and added that overseas votes had been influenced.

Anee said BNP had struggled for 17 years to restore democracy and acknowledged that people now expected a normal life.

"The government has been in office for only five months. We cannot say we have already solved many problems. But the Prime Minister is trying and has already undertaken several programmes. If we all cooperate, I hope there will be no shortages in the country," he said.

The minister said the country continues to face multiple challenges because of what he described as widespread corruption and looting during the previous 17 years.

The discussion was chaired by Amra Bangladeshi Coordinator Syed Ehsanul Huda.