Category: Bangladesh

The reaffirmation came as she unveiled the manifesto of the ruling Awami League party on Wednesday for the upcoming general elections scheduled for January 7….reports Asian Lite News

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has promised to maintain cooperation and friendly relations with India if she is re-elected in the parliamentay polls next month.

The reaffirmation came as she unveiled the manifesto of the ruling Awami League party on Wednesday for the upcoming general elections scheduled for January 7.

Hasina underlined that if her party secures victory, Bangladesh will persist in its development collaboration with all nations, highlighting the commitment to fostering positive diplomatic ties and cooperation.

Specifically mentioning India-Bangladesh ties, the manifesto states, “The long-standing problem of demarcation of land boundaries and exchange of enclaves with India has been resolved. This achievement has encouraged continued multilateral cooperation and friendly relations with India.”

Highlighting the foreign policy priorities of her party, Hasina’s manifesto also stated that “cooperation with neighbouring countries will continue in various areas, including cross-border communication, transit, energy partnership, and equitable water sharing”.

“Bangladesh is firmly determined to prevent the presence of militants, international terrorists, and separatist groups on its territory,” the manifesto said, adding, “The Awami League government will play an important role in forming the South Asia Task Force to combat terrorism and militancy to root it out from the entire region.”

According to the manifesto, cooperation with India will continue in the areas of bilateral trade and security. New areas of cooperation with India, Bhutan and Nepal will include energy cooperation and joint river water management.

The Awami League’s election manifesto also outlines an ambitious agenda to transform Bangladesh into a smart country by 2041, focusing on 11 key areas, Daily Star, a Bangladeshi English-language daily newspaper, reported.

Hasina, presenting the manifesto ahead of the January 7 national election, highlighted the highest priority of creating job opportunities.

The manifesto reflects the party’s commitment to comprehensive development, with a strategic focus on economic growth and employment generation as integral components of Bangladesh’s vision for the future.

The Awami League’s 98-page manifesto places significant emphasis on key areas, including the control of essential commodity prices, the establishment of a technologically advanced and smart Bangladesh, increased investment in agriculture, the expansion of industries, and the empowerment of the financial sector, including banks.

The Supreme Court, on December 27, has provided clearance for the Election Commission (EC) to proceed with the 12th parliamentary election scheduled for January 7, Daily Star reported.(ANI)

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Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan told journalists that three firefighting units rushed to the scene and recovered the bodies from one of the three coaches….reports Asian Lite News

Amid reports of increasing violence ahead of the January 2024 general elections in Bangladesh, unidentified miscreants on Tuesday set fire to three coaches of a train in Dhaka, killing four people.

The incident took place at around 5 a.m. amid a countrywide strike called by the country’s largest opposition party to press its demand for the government to resign ahead of the crucial polls slated to be held on January 7, 2024, reports Xinhua news agency.

Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan told journalists that three firefighting units rushed to the scene and recovered the bodies from one of the three coaches.

Several people were also injured while scrambling out of the train.

The country’s main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies have called for the dawn-to-dusk strike on Tuesday.

The opposition movement has reportedly led to vandalism of vehicles and arson attacks, with deadly clashes between police and workers in Dhaka and elsewhere in the South Asian country almost every day since late October.

On December 13, one person was killed when seven compartments of a train were derailed on an overpass in Gazipur on the outskirts of Dhaka.

The train derailed after a section of the railway line in Gazipur was allegedly severed by saboteurs due to the ongoing opposition movement.

As a result of the continued violence, army personnel will be deployed across Bangladesh to assist the civil administration in ensuring security ahead of the elections.

Since late October, the country’s opposition parties have observed blockades in the 11th phase to mount pressure on the ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL) party government to quit power and hold the next election under a non-partisan administration.

The opposition movement has reportedly led to vandalism of vehicles and arson attacks, with deadly clashes between police and workers in Dhaka and elsewhere in the South Asian country almost every day since late October.

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The decision came from a meeting between the president and the chief election commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Sunday….reports Asian Lite News

 Amid continued tensions, army personnel will be deployed across Bangladesh to assist the civil administration in ensuring security ahead of the country’s general elections slated for January 7, 2024, according to a poll body official.

Bangladeshi Election Commission Secretary Md Jahangir Alam told journalists that President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Sunday approved in principle the deployment of the army during the upcoming general elections, reports Xinhua news agency.

Army personnel would be deployed as a striking force, Jahangir Alam said, adding that the decision came from a meeting between the president and the chief election commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Sunday.

Earlier, the commission announced its plan to deploy troops across the country for 13 days starting on December 29 in preparation for the crucial polls against a backdrop of heightened political tensions.

Since late October, the country’s opposition parties have observed blockades in the 11th phase to mount pressure on the ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL) party government to quit power and hold the next election under a non-partisan administration.

The opposition movement has reportedly led to vandalism of vehicles and arson attacks, with deadly clashes between police and workers in Dhaka and elsewhere in the South Asian country almost every day since late October.

Meanwhile, the deadline for candidates to withdraw from the 12th national polls expired on Sunday.

Up to 2,260 candidates from 28 political parties, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s AL and its major ally Jatiya Party, and those running independently, were approved.

The ruling AL party General Secretary Obaidul Quader Sunday said it will share some seats with the Jatiya Party and other alliance partners and withdraw the party nominees in such constituencies.

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Elias emphasised the mutual trust and respect between the leaders, stating that such camaraderie strengthens the overall relationship between the two neighbouring countries…reports Asian Lite News

On the occasion of Bangladesh Vijay Diwas, Andalib Elias, Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner, highlighted the strong personal relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Elias emphasised the mutual trust and respect between the leaders, stating that such camaraderie strengthens the overall relationship between the two neighbouring countries.

“PM Narendra Modi and my Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina enjoy a wonderful personal relationship built on mutual trust and respect. So that’s very important when two heads of government of two neighbouring countries, respect each other. They have very good contact with each other. They can talk to each other whenever necessary. That really strengthens the relationship,” Elias told ANI.

He further extended warm greetings on the occasion of Vijay Diwas, commemorating the victory day of Bangladesh 52 years ago. Elias expressed profound thanks to the Indian government, people, and the Armed Forces for their significant role during the war, highlighting the sacrifices made by the Indian Armed Forces personnel.

“First of all, many greetings to everyone on behalf of this occasion of the Vijay Diwas. The victory day of Bangladesh. It’s one of the greatest occasions for us, 52 years ago. On this day, the final victory of Bangladesh was achieved,” he said.

The day commenced with the formal flag-raising ceremony for Bangladesh, accompanied by the National Anthem. Elias announced a two-day cultural event, inaugurated by Sobhondeb Chattopadhyay, Agriculture and Parliamentary Affairs Minister of the Government of West Bengal, to celebrate the occasion.

“We will be having a series of different performances, like songs, dances and recitations, today and tomorrow. So these are all the testimonies of the friendship that we have between the two countries,” Elias added.

As a testament to their enduring friendship, Elias acknowledged the Indian Army’s programmes and expressed gratitude for their hospitality during his visit to an Indian Army village.

“We will be having a series of different performances, like songs, dances and recitations, today and tomorrow. So these are all the testimonies of the friendship that we have between the two countries. So the Indian Army has a lot of programmes for them and I was also invited. I spent the whole day with them at the village of Indian Army and I’m thankful to them for that,” he added.

Looking ahead, Elias expressed confidence in the golden phase of the relationship between India and Bangladesh, anticipating further strengthening under the visionary leadership of both nations.

“The relationship is built on blood and sweat and they have taken it further. We have reached the golden phase of our relationship and we are confident that under the leadership of these two very visionary global leaders, this relationship will further strengthen and cement in the coming days,” he also said.

Elias also highlighted the significance of the pivotal year 2024 as both countries, vibrant democracies, prepare for major elections, showcasing the power of people’s choices in shaping the destiny of nations.

“2024 is a turning year for, I will say, a very important pivotal year for India and Bangladesh. There is huge excitement and festivity in the festive mood in Bangladesh already. In the same manner, next year, by the middle of next year, we will have the largest parliamentary election in India, the largest democracy in the world. So these two countries are again testimonies to the world of how a vibrant democracy and people’s choices can lead the countries to their successes. It’s so best of luck to the people of India and to my countrymen,” Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner said.

Notably, India was the first country to recognise Bangladesh as a separate and independent state and established diplomatic relations with the country immediately after its independence in December 1971, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. (ANI)

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“Victory Day” is observed to commemorate the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 and the subsequent independence of Bangladesh….reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has extended his warm greetings to his Bangladeshi counterpart A.K. Abdul Momen as the latter celebrated the 52nd anniversary of Bangladesh ‘Victory Day’.

“Victory Day” is observed to commemorate the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 and the subsequent independence of Bangladesh.

“The spirit of 1971, which continues to be the cornerstone of relations between Bangladesh and India, must be preserved and promoted. It is time for us to treasure our friendship,” Jaishankar said on Saturday at a ceremony at the Dhaka airport.

“The India-Bangladesh Maitri has not only served the interest of its people but been an example beyond,” the EAM wrote on his X account.

Earlier on Sunday, Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Pranay Verma said India stands ready to walk together with Bangladesh in realising its vision of a stable, progressive and prosperous nation.

In a post on X, Jaishankar congratulated Momen, the Government of Bangladesh, and its people on Saturday.

“Warm greetings to FM A.K. Abdul Momen and the government and people of Bangladesh on the 52nd Bijoy Dibosh!”

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An expert said, with no sign of political compromise in sight, Bangladesh’s January elections will likely do little to repair its deep political divisions….reports Asian Lite News

With Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections set for early January, the opposition’s push for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the installation of an interim election-time government has reached a crescendo – sending the country’s streets and politics into tumult in the process, said Geoffrey Macdonald, Visiting Expert, United States Institute of Peace.

With no sign of political compromise in sight, Bangladesh’s January elections will likely do little to repair its deep political divisions, he said.

Although the BNP is publicly committed to nonviolence, its strategy of election boycott and street blockades to unseat the ruling party has forced a confrontation with the state that has inevitably turned violent. Bangladesh’s current cycle of blockades, street violence and heavy-handed police reprisal echoes a long history during election periods. With parliamentary elections scheduled, the BNP has called for continued strikes to cancel the polls, but the AL has shown no indication of reducing its pressure on the opposition.

“The next election will not fulfil our constitutional commitment to a democratic Bangladesh; rather it will lead us, as a nation, to uncharted waters”, writes Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of SHUJAN: Citizens for Good Governance, in Daily Star. SHUJAN-Citizens for Good Governance is a non-partisan citizen’s platform in Bangladesh.

Majumdar wrote that the upcoming one-sided election cannot be called an election in the legal sense, as there would not be any legitimate choice in the absence of the BNP’s participation, and such an election will not help the EC meet its constitutional obligation to hold a free, fair and credible election.

As scores of cases have been filed since October 28 and most of the BNP leaders are now either in jail or hiding, it is almost certain that the coming election will again be one-sided. The situation at the moment is fraught with serious concerns, he said.

The first concern is that a one-sided election, without the participation of the main opposition and other major parties, may not even qualify as an election from the legal point of view, the article said.

The second concern relates to the environment for holding a free and fair election. On October 25, the CEC himself acknowledged that the appropriate environment for an election was absent. Then the violence of October 28 occurred, leading to the police filing many cases, implicating thousands of BNP activists and arresting almost all its leaders, which completely tilted the playing field in favour of the ruling party. In this situation, most, if not all, potential BNP candidates will not be able to file nomination papers by November 30, even if they decide to participate in the upcoming election, Majumdar wrote.

“Yet, the EC declared the election schedule, ignoring the tilted electoral field, paving the way for a one-sided election and ensuring the continuation of the ruling party being in power. The highly partisan bureaucracy and law enforcement agencies will ensure that outcome”, he added.

Thirdly, without the participation of the BNP and other major political parties, the legitimacy crisis of the present regime will persist. As we are aware, in 2014, there was a one-sided election, in which 153 MPs were “elected” without the voters casting a single vote. The 2018 election, although participatory, was fraudulent, manifested by stuffing of ballot boxes the night before, Majumdar wrote.

A study found electoral irregularities, like stamping ballot papers the night before and ballot box stuffing by capturing booths on election day, in 47 out of 50 constituencies surveyed. An analysis of the centre-wise election results obtained from the EC through an RTI application by SHUJAN found that 100 percent votes were cast in 213 polling centres in 103 constituencies, and 100 percent votes were cast to a single symbol in 587 polling centres in 75 constituencies.

In addition, the BNP received zero votes in 1,177 centres, Jatiya Party received zero votes in 3,388 centres, and even the Awami League received zero votes in two centres, indicating that they were all cooked up numbers. These two controversial elections created a credibility crisis for the ruling party, he added.

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