POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Dec 29, 2023 : National elections of Bangladesh will be held on January 7 next year (2024). This election is a big challenge for Sheikh Hasina and the ruling Awami League.
In 2014, BNP’s non-participation in the elections led to a severe crisis of democracy in Bangladesh, and Sheikh Hasina’s government formed a government with a single majority.
Those elections were void of voters, various local and foreign observers later expressed their opinion. Elections are proceeding with small groups. Observers think that Sheikh Hasina government’s major challenge is to bring back the confidence of the voters in this election.
India’s influential former Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar visited Bangladesh recently.
He returned to Delhi after observing many things. POBNEWS24 spoke to him on the telephone on Friday morning. The interview was conducted by POBNEWS24 editor Mir Afroz Zaman. The excerpts of the interview is given here for the readers.
A BNP leader’s complaint is that India is sustaining Sheikh Hasina’s government? What do you say?
MJ Akbar: Look, the people of the country have sustained Hasina’s government in Bangladesh in a democratic way. Bangladesh is a democratic country. In a democracy, the government is sustained only by the people of the country. Those who say these things are not right. Everything is untrue. People of your country will understand better. Because, the opposition party Khaleda Zia’s party BNP does not participate in the elections. As far as I know, I have not seen any indifference or neglect of Hasina’s government in ensuring the participation of all the parties.
What is your assessment of Bangladesh-India bilateral relations?
MJ Akbar: I think the progress that both countries have made in the last 10 years is unprecedented. I believe, this cooperation, government to government level and people to people level will go a long way.
How do you see Sheikh Hasina’s contribution to the Rohingya issue?
MJ Akbar: No one has done as much as Sheikh Hasina has done on the Rohingya issue. She gave them space because she felt it was a major humanitarian issue. I have been to the Rohingya camps, talked to them. I have heard the stories of Myanmar government’s torture from their mouths. Sheikh Hasina has done humanitarian work. No other country in the world has come forward. I think, this is an international challenge and everyone has to face this challenge.
To maintain peace in the region, especially the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean region, how important is it to keep Sheikh Hasina in power? What do you think?
MJ Akbar: I have already answered this question. I also said in the speech of Foreign Service Academy of Bangladesh. The issue of overall security of all these regions is very important. The country should move forward by considering all sides. Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina’s government also faces a major challenge in dealing with terrorism and militancy within its own country. Incidents like 21st August Grenade attack and holy artisan shook the whole world. Sheikh Hasina suppressed them. Drugs, militancy and terrorism are now a big challenge in the world. They have to be dealt with. Now analyze it yourself.
Sir, when you were visiting Bangladesh recently, opposition alliance BNP was on strike and blockade. Buses were burnt on the highway with vandalism, train lines were uprooted in Gazipur near Dhaka. Four people died in that incident. A woman and her sleeping child were burnt to death in a moving train. In this incident panic spread among the train passengers. As a result, Bangladesh Railways was forced to stop the movement of 5 pairs of trains. As you may know, there are three trains that ply between Bangladesh and India daily. Panic gripped among passengers in India. Do you think that this kind of pre-planned sabotage was done to destroy the relationship between the two countries?
MJ Akbar: Regarding terrorism and militancy, I have said it before, listen, Sheikh Hasina is suppressing terrorism and militancy with a heavy hand. I think that if Sheikh Hasina is to survive, she must continue to deal with terrorism and militancy.
China says work on Bangladesh’s Teesta project will begin after the national elections. But the Siliguri corridor is not far from where China will operate the Teesta project. As we know, Siliguri Corridor is also called Chicken’s Neck by India. China wants to take over the Chicken’s Neck in the name of development of Teesta. How will India see the issue especially the presence of China in front of the chicken neck?
MJ Akbar: I have also answered this question. Countries should move forward by considering all the sides.
Thank you, Sir
MJ Akbar: Also my thanks to you.
