Dhaka – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party always pursues a double-standard policy when it comes in terms of relations with India.

The party led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia came to power in 2001 pledging to sell the country’s resources to the next door neighbor, Hasina alleged adding that anti-Indian words don’t suit with BNP.

“It was (BNP leader) Khaleda Zia who gave an undertaking of selling gas to India, and doing this, they came to power . . . So anti-Indian words don’t match in their mouth,” said the Prime Minister on Saturday.

She was addressing the 2nd National Council of Jubo Mohila League at the Krishibid Institution auditorium in Dhaka.

Hasina, also the Awami League president, said her government wanted to utilize the country’s resources for the people and therefore “(Unlike BNP) I didn’t give any such undertaking”.

“We wanted that the country should have a reserve of gas for 50 years and only then it should be considered whether we would sell it or not,” state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha news agency quoted Hasina as saying.

The representatives of the neighbouring country’s intelligence agency used to sit at Hawa Bhaban, “the alternate power house of the then BNP government”, before the 2001 elections though the party always talks against India.

“Besides, the persons of a powerful nation also used to stay at Hawa Bhaban to realize undertakings of selling gas from the BNP,” she added.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party leaders recently expressed concerns over about possible deals to be signed with India during the Hasina’s planned New Delhi tour next month.

The prime minister said the 2001 elections were staged to completely defeat the Awami League and taking gas from Bangladesh.

Earlier, Hasina inaugurated the council of the ruling party’s women youth front releasing pigeons and baloons.

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