Ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL) general secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday claimed that Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj did not make any promise of an election-time supportive government - a longstanding demand of opposition BNP.
“During her talks with [BNP chairperson] Khaleda Zia, Sushma Swaraj spoke of a free, fair and neutral election. And Mr Fakhrul [BNP secretary general] has been optimistic for that. We too want such election,” Quader told a media briefing.
The AL organised the media briefing at the party president’s Dhanmondi office in the capital after a meeting of its presidium members there.
Also road transport and bridges minister, Quader referred to the longstanding demand of opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for installing a party-neutral ‘supportive government’ to oversee the general elections and said, “It’s a matter of election commission.”
He went on saying, “So far I know, Sushma Swaraj did not make any promise of an election-time supportive government. She rather said that incumbent government continues and works as a supportive government during the election globally. And it’s a global practice.”
Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj came to Dhaka on Sunday on a two-day tour and during her stay, BNP chairperson Khaleda along with other BNP leaders met her at Sonargaon hotel on Sunday evening.
After the meeting, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told the media that India wants a free, fair and participatory election in Bangladesh.
And on Monday, Fakhrul said, “We don’t beg anybody’s mercy and we don’t tell anybody to put us in power. We also don’t believe any country will come here to restore democracy.”
Calling on the BNP to join the next general elections, Obaidul Quader said, “Please, don’t boycott the polls. It’s a national political party, a big political party. People have expectation from it. Our expectation too is that you will join the polls.”
In response to a questioner, the ruling party leader said the government is optimistic given the way Indian leader spoke of Rohingya issue during her visit to Bangladesh.
“She [Sushma] unequivocally stated that Rohingyas must be taken back. She also underscored the need for implementing recommendations of Kofi Annan commission,” said Quader.
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