Our farmers need Teesta water too, says Bangla minister

Latif was guest of honour at the inaugural session of the ICT, East, that was discussing prospects of Information Technology in the eastern region including Bangladesh.

Aware that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s opposition had stalled the water sharing agreement between the two countries, the Bangladesh minister courted the Bengal CM, describing her as “Mamatamoyee”(gracious woman). “She is an artist, a poet. She will know the pain and sorrow of those living in the down stream (Bhati) of a river,” said Latif. He appealed to both Government of India and to the Bengal CM for facilitating the Teesta water sharing agreement as early as possible.

Later, clarifying his speech, Latif said it had “no political connotations”. “It was simply words from my heart. Our relation is one of love and compassion. No problem is insurmountable,” he said.

“The partition of the two Bengals was more of a geographical separation, but our hearts bring us together,” Latif said in an impassioned speech, showering gratitude to Indira Gandhi and the Indian government for helping Bangladesh earn its freedom from the Pakistani rulers.  “We expect the same magnanimity from our neighbour in solving the Teesta water treaty,” he added.