Opposition decision to boycott national elections, scheduled for January 22, has plunged Bangladesh in a political crisis.
Hasina-led alliance to boycott polls, India expresses concerns
NEW DELHI: The opposition decision to boycott national elections, scheduled for January 22, has plunged Bangladesh in a political crisis. The alliance headed by Sheikh Hasina asked their candidates to withdraw from the race saying fair elections under President Iajuddin Ahmed, is not possible.
The opposition say the interim president is close to Begum Khaleda Zia and was prepared to rig the elections in her favour. Sheikh Hasina’s decision comes on the heels of the election Commission’s decision to ban former military ruler Hussain Mohammed Ershad from contesting the polls.
Ershad once a bitter enemy of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League is now part of her 17-party alliance. Hasina and the opposition alliance had demanded that interim president step down if the elections were to be fair and free. The opposition announced a general strike on Sunday and Monday.
The differences over the conduct of elections in Bangladesh, which had led to clashes between supporters of political parties, had been viewed with concern by New Delhi. The boycott has led to more worry in South Block. Instability in the neighbourhood is something New Delhi fears as it will encourage anti-India forces to make use of the long unguarded border between the two countries to plan strikes deep inside Indian territory.
Commenting on the situation in Bangladesh, foreign office spokesman Navtej Sarna said : “As a friendly neighbour we are naturally interested in Bangladesh remaining peaceful, democratic and stable.The election machinery in Bangladesh should inspire confidence in its neutrality in the mind of the electorate. It is our hope that the people will be able to elect a government of their own choice in a free, fair, credible and democratic elections.’’
India’s ties with Dhaka have normally been strained when Khaleda Zia’s BNP has been in power. However, since last year Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has tried to get across the message that India is for the people of Bangladesh and respects any government which is favoured by the electorate.
But Bangladesh’s domestic politics is mired in pro- and anti-India sentiments.
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