Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie warned the opposition, stating that the public will not accept a stance where opposition members speak politely in the National Parliament to secure higher allocations from the Prime Minister, only to adopt their 1971 posture once outside parliament. He made these remarks as the chief guest at a street rally held at Malifa High School grounds in Sujanagar upazila of Pabna on Sunday, following an inspection of the Padma Barrage Project site in Satbaria.

Minister Annie further observed that only eight months have passed since the BNP government was formed under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, emerging from a state of ruin. He expressed disappointment over opposition calls for road marches and long marches, noting that opposition members themselves conceded in parliament that global crises account for shortages of gas, electricity, and oil. He urged the opposition to act responsibly and support the government in building a new Bangladesh.

Highlighting project details, the minister reiterated that the Padma Barrage project will be inaugurated in January or February next year. Once implemented, it will benefit nearly 60 million people—representing two-thirds of the population in the southwestern region and the nation.