The anti Indian opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party, an ally of the communal Jamat-e-Islami, is strongly gunning for her. Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Ms Dipu Moni is fighting off a strong demand for her resignation over the issue.

At a rally in Dhaka, Mr. Mirza Alamgir, General Secretary of the BNP, strongly attacked Mrs Wazed for her failure to secure the long awaited water accord. He and other leaders also disputed her stand that Bangladesh had not yet granted India the transit rights through its territory. They claimed that in fact such rights had already been given to India.

Some speakers even alleged that Mrs Wazed was determined to convert Bangladesh into an Indian State, where she will be happy to rule as a Chief Minister. The granting of transit rights and other Indian demands was only the first step of such a move. Also, this would make Bangladesh forever the enemy of the Northeastern states bordering it.

As for the Foreign Minister, even on the night of September 5, she had insisted that the river accord would be signed, misleading the people. She should immediately resign.

Responding strongly, Ms Moni said she would resign if only the people demanded it, not because some motivated people with their highly disreputable political past were demanding her resignation. She had been elected through popular support.

Bangladesh had asked for 50% of the water flowing through the Teesta from neighbouring West Bengal. However, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had opposed the agreement, saying that under no circumstances more than 25,000 cusecs of water could be allowed to be sent to Bangladesh, as it would cause an irredeemable environmental havoc in the Indian North Bengal districts. Observers on both sides of the border are confident that eventually a fresh water sharing agreement would be signed, in the interest of both countries involved. But for the time being, the ruling Awami league led by Mrs Wazed is facing difficult times because of factors other than good relations with India.

Rising prices of foodgrains has made it difficult for the Awami League to maintain the price line. The wave of political turmoil in Muslim countries in West Asia to North Africa has severely hit the flow of remittances sent by non resident Bangladeshi workers. Now petrol prices are about to rise again. The government also faced much trouble and unrest during the opposition –sponsored strikes and bandhs some weeks ago. While the export of garments continues to be healthy, there is unrest among workers who are exploited by their management. The power situation continues to be unsatisfactory, affecting industrial production. The opposition parties have renewed their call for greater movements in the future. All in all, these are not happy times for the League and its leader, Mrs Wazed. Relations with the US are also strained, not least because of the government’s running battle against Nobel laureate economist Mohammad Yunus, over the administration of the Grameen Bank.

The controversy over the Teesta water sharing accord was clearly something the Bangladeshi Prime Minister could have done without. She can only hope and pray that the matter would be resolved soon and amicably. (IPA)