Hasina's December return claim baseless: Partho

Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairman Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partho, MP, on Tuesday said there is no basis for claims that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina will return to Bangladesh in December.

"There is no factual basis for such claims," he told reporters after visiting river erosion-affected areas of Shibpur Union and inspecting canal excavation work in Alinagar Union of Bhola Sadar.

Partho said Sheikh Hasina has been making various statements in an attempt to keep the Awami League politically relevant.

"These are nothing more than political statements. It would be very difficult for Sheikh Hasina to return to politics," he said.

He said it would be extremely difficult to re-enter politics by ignoring the reality of the July Movement.

"The blood that was shed, the sacrifices that were made and the public sentiment that emerged cannot simply be denied. It is difficult even to imagine doing politics while ignoring those realities," he said.

Recalling the movement two years ago, Partho said, "At this time two years ago, I myself was in remand. Many others also went through similar experiences."

On Monday, he visited river erosion-hit areas along Bholar Khal in Shibpur Union and spoke to affected residents, who described their prolonged suffering and demanded immediate and effective government intervention.

The lawmaker expressed dissatisfaction with the Upazila administration and officials of the Bangladesh Water Development Board over the erosion situation.

He said that although the Awami League had remained in power for 17 years, it had failed to take effective measures to prevent river erosion.

Partho also said no visible initiative had been taken during the interim government's tenure, leaving the people of Bhola to continue suffering from the disaster.

He said river erosion threatens not only homes but also agricultural land, educational institutions and other critical infrastructure across the district, stressing that a permanent solution is essential.

"We pledged before forming the government that we would protect Bhola from river erosion. It is therefore our moral responsibility to fulfil that commitment," he said.

Partho added that once a major budget is approved at an upcoming Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting, it will be possible to implement a long-term river erosion prevention project.

Executive Engineer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board Zia Uddin Arif, Bhola Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sajal Kumar Das, Bhola District BJP President Amirul Islam Ratan and General Secretary Motasim Billah, among others, accompanied the lawmaker.