Leftist parties plan tougher protests after Eid against trade deal with US

Left-leaning political parties and progressive organisations in Bangladesh have hinted at launching tougher street protests after the upcoming Eid al-Fitr, demanding the cancellation of what they describe as an “unequal trade deal” with the United States.
Leaders of several leftist parties expressed serious concern over the agreement signed by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus shortly before the country’s 13th national parliamentary election, alleging that the deal was struck without adequate public debate or consultation with political stakeholders.
Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) has announced a month-long programme protesting all unequal treaties signed with “colonial powers.” 
From 1 to 7 April, the party will organise street rallies and public outreach programmes at thana and upazila levels, CPB’s central committee leader and former student leader Lucky Akhter told Daily Sun.
Additionally, from 8 to 30 April, the party will conduct a mass signature campaign and hold opinion-exchange meetings with people from various professions and social groups.
On 7 May, CPB will organise a public rally and submit memorandums to all Members of Parliament of the National Parliament (except those identified as Razakars and war criminals).
At the same time, the Ganatantrik Juktafront, a political alliance of the country’s left-leaning parties, is also going to take tough programmes to protest strongly against all uneven treaties. 
While talking to the Daily Sun, Ganatantrik Juktafront’s Coordinator and Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Basad) General Secretary Bazlur Rahsid Firoz said, “A meeting of the alliance is scheduled to be held on 15 March, where the issue will be discussed broadly and decisions will be taken there.”
Basad (Marxist) Coordinator Masud Rana said, “After Eid, the left-leaning parties are preparing to launch a major movement. Besides their own party programmes, a united movement will also be built under the banner of the Ganatantrik Juktafront.”
Meanwhile, prominent economist Prof Anu Muhammad demanded that the names of those involved in the trade agreement with the United States be made public and that they be brought to justice.
He said that the interim government has left Bangladesh in a “handcuffed” position by signing the trade agreement with the United States.
Speaking at a recent seminar, Anu Muhammad said that the way the trade agreement with the United States has been signed could lead to a collapse of the country’s rural economy and create a new wave of large-scale unemployment.
He said that although increasing taxes relative to Bangladesh’s GDP is necessary, this agreement could actually lead to a reduction in tax revenue, the effects of which would ultimately fall on ordinary people.
He also said, “Before the election, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had said ‘Bangladesh first’. But now it seems it is the United States first. We demand that those who signed this trade agreement be brought to justice.”
Anu Muhammad stated that no such important agreement should be signed without discussion in Parliament.
He added that although the current Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has described the agreement as positive, the government should review the matter anew.
Talking in a discussion meeting on Saturday in the capital, Economist Prof MM Akash said that, first of all, the agreement was signed in extreme hurriedness.
He questioned whose interests were actually being protected. “If we talk about democracy and equality, where is the transparency here? Only three to four people were involved in the entire process,” he added.
According to him, no agreement could be more discriminatory than this one. He also noted that nothing is impossible for the Trump administration, whose perspective seems to be that only Americans are considered people – the rest of the world does not count.
He further alleged that it was through the mediation of this agreement that Khalilur Rahman obtained the responsibility for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the BNP-led government.