BNP blames Mamata for Teesta Treaty delay, hopes for progress under BJP govt

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has lashed out at Mamata Banerjee of blocking Teesta Water Sharing Treaty as it expressed hope that the agreement would make considerable progress since the BJP under the leadership of Suvendu Adhikari has defeated the TMC in the Assembly elections.

Praise for BJP victory

The remarks were made by BNP Information Secretary Azizul Baree Helal who also praised Adhikari and said that Dhaka was hopeful that the relationship between Bangladesh and West Bengal would continue in a positive vein after BJP’s victory in the state.

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Hetal further stated that both the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bangladesh government were keen on signing the Teesta Water Sharing Treaty adding that now after the BJP’s victory in West Bengal, the issue will gain pace with the help of Adhikari.

Calls Mamata an ‘impediment’

"Actually, previously we saw that Mamata Banerjee was actually the impediment to establishing the Teesta Barrage. Now, in my opinion, since the BJP won the election under Suvendu's leadership, the Teesta Barrage agreement--which was very much desired by the Bangladesh government and the Modi government--will be helped by Suvendu,” said Hetal.

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“I think the Teesta Barrage project will be implemented under the BJP government now that they have seized power instead of the Trinamool Congress," he told ANI.

"I congratulate the winner, Suvendu Adhikari's BJP party. I think this victory of the BJP, under the leadership of Suvendu Adhikari, will ensure the relationship between West Bengal and the Bangladesh government remains the same as before, in a good manner. The relationship will be built up. I congratulate the BJP's win", added Hetal.

Call for stronger ties

The BNP leader further stated that they considered Banerjee as an “impediment” to constructing the Teesta Barrage.

"Actually, previously we saw that Mamata Banerjee was actually the impediment to establishing the Teesta Barrage. Now, in my opinion, since the BJP won the election under Suvendu's leadership, the Teesta Barrage agreement--which was very much desired by the Bangladesh government and the Modi government--will be helped by Suvendu. I think the Teesta Barrage project will be implemented under the BJP government now that they have seized power instead of the Trinamool Congress," said Helal.

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"We have a good relationship. Ideologically, we are different, but on some issues, we are very much united--like the Teesta Barrage and the general relationship between Bangladesh and India. On an issue basis, we are united, even if ideologically separated. I think with the new government in West Bengal, our relationship will be accelerated more and more," he added.

Teesta dispute persists

The Teesta issue continues to remain one of the unresolved matters in water-sharing between India and Bangladesh, even as both sides have held multiple rounds of discussions over the years.

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The 1996 Ganga Water Treaty governs the distribution of water during the dry season at the Farakka Barrage, but Bangladesh has maintained that the release remains inadequate during lean months, affecting agriculture and livelihoods in downstream areas. Climate concerns have also added to the growing dispute over reduced water availability.

Push for new water deal

With the 1996 treaty set to expire later this year, Bangladesh has renewed its demand for what it calls a fair share of Teesta waters. During former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s 2011 visit to Dhaka, a formula was proposed, but opposition from West Bengal stalled it. Later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2015 Dhaka visit also raised hopes for progress.