Staff Reporter :
India has reiterated its call for Bangladesh to hold inclusive, fair, and free elections at the earliest possible date, emphasising the importance of reflecting the democratic will and mandate of its people.
The call comes amid growing political tensions in Bangladesh and demands from opposition parties for electoral reforms and a level playing field.
The issue was raised during the weekly media briefing of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi on Thursday.
In response to a question regarding India’s position on the upcoming elections in Bangladesh, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “On Bangladesh, we have articulated our position very clearly as far as elections are concerned, and we have done so consistently. Bangladesh needs to ascertain the will and mandate of the people by holding inclusive, fair, and free elections at an early date.”
Jaiswal’s remarks come at a time when the political climate in Bangladesh is increasingly volatile, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and several other political groups pressing for election by December.
Earlier, the Chief Adviser to the Interim Government, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, stated that Bangladesh is preparing for a free, fair, and credible general election. He made these remarks while speaking at the 30th Nikkei Forum held in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday.
Dr. Yunus said, “We are preparing for a general election that is free, fair, acceptable, and participatory, which will ensure justice, equality, freedom, and human dignity.
Through this, a peaceful and effective democratic transition will take place. In the current unstable global context, empowering people and promoting grassroots leadership have become more important than ever before.”
He further stated that the main goal of the government, which came to power through many challenges, is to fulfill the aspirations of the people of the country.
Meanwhile, Japanese media outlet Nikkei Asia interviewed Chief Adviser Prof Yunus and asked about recent speculation of his resignation.
In response Dr. Yunus said that since he had not spoken about the matter in Bangladesh, discussing it abroad could “create a big problem.”
In the interview, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus also claimed that under the ousted government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, around $234 billion had been illicitly transferred out of Bangladesh.
He added that within the country itself, approximately $11-12 billion has already been identified, linked, and confiscated.
