BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed has said Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty remained protected because the country had someone like Begum Khaleda Zia.

Speaking as the chief guest while inaugurating a photo exhibition today (16 January) on the late BNP chairperson at Justice Shahabuddin Park in Gulshan, Dhaka, Rizvi claimed that a power plant project in Jharkhand, India, electricity from which is being supplied to Bangladesh, had earlier been cancelled by India's own planning ministry. 

He said that during what he described as a period of "fascism," a similar project was implemented in Rampal, Bangladesh.

Rizvi added that such projects, which he termed "anti-national," could never be carried out under Khaleda Zia's leadership. That is why she was imprisoned and denied proper medical treatment, with an attempt to push her towards death slowly, he claimed.

He stated that Bangladesh still has coal and gas reserves and alleged that both regional and global powers are conspiring to control these resources.

The exhibition, organised by the Bogura Media and Cultural Society, Dhaka, will continue for two more days.

At the event, Atikur Rahman Rumon, the cultural society adviser and Amra BNP Poribar convener, said it is not possible to fully portray Khaleda Zia's life through a limited number of photographs. 

He added that young people want to learn more about her leadership and political journey. "We plan to organise larger photo exhibitions across different districts, highlighting her role in governance, political movements and development initiatives," he said.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi / sovereignty / Begum Khaleda Zia