The Left Democratic Alliance has issued a warning that it will besiege the Chief Advisor’s residence, ‘Jamuna’, on 4 December if the government does not cancel a port-related agreement with a foreign company by 3 December. The announcement was made during a protest rally on Sunday, 23 November, in front of the National Press Club. The alliance’s coordinator and BASAD general secretary, Bazlur Rashid Firoz, led the demonstration.
During the rally, Firoz criticised the government for keeping the conditions of the agreement secret, arguing that although Article 34 of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) law—enacted under the Awami League government—prohibits revealing terms before signing, it does not prevent disclosure afterwards. He suggested that the government’s continued secrecy indicates the agreement contains elements against public interest.
Sajjad Zahir Chandan, President of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), condemned the lack of transparency, stating that secretive agreements and hidden information undermine law and order. He questioned how justice and transparency can be upheld in a country where the terms of agreements are deliberately concealed from the public.
Masud Rana, coordinator of BASAD (Marxist), described the port lease process as “opaque, irrational, and against national interest”, warning that the government’s actions risk portraying Bangladesh’s ports as corrupt institutions internationally. He called such a scenario a “humiliating chapter” for the country.
Mosrefa Mishu, President of the Garment Workers Unity Forum, also criticised the decision, arguing that handing over the country’s main port to a foreign company contradicts the vision of 2024 and represents a self-destructive move for Bangladesh’s national interests.
A summary of the key points raised during the rally is presented below:
| Speaker | Organisation | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Bazlur Rashid Firoz | BASAD | Warned of besieging Chief Advisor’s residence if agreement not cancelled; criticised government secrecy |
| Sajjad Zahir Chandan | CPB | Condemned secrecy; questioned how justice and transparency can exist under hidden agreements |
| Masud Rana | BASAD (Marxist) | Called port lease “opaque, irrational”; warned of international embarrassment |
| Mosrefa Mishu | Garment Workers Unity Forum | Criticised decision as self-destructive; contradicted national vision of 2024 |
The Left Democratic Alliance has urged the government to publicly disclose all conditions of the port agreement and cancel arrangements deemed detrimental to national interest, emphasising that public pressure will continue until transparency is ensured.
GLIVE/TSN