Dhaka, March 16 (IANS) A top leader from Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League on Saturday ruled out allegations of Indian interference in the country’s election, months after the crucial vote in January this year saw Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina storming back to power.
Awami League General Secretary, Obaidul Quader, came out strongly in support of his South Asian neighbour at the biennial conference, which was inaugurated by Indian High Commissioner, Pranay Kumar Verma.
“We conducted our elections. India did not interfere. Various countries’ ambassadors played their roles, but India did not. They (India) said, ‘Let Bangladesh decide Bangladesh’s election’,” Quader was quoted as saying in The Daily Star.
“Many powers in the world wanted to play an unfavourable game here. India stood strongly by our side,” he added.
As Sheikh Hasina secured a fourth term in the 12th Parliamentary election that was largely boycotted by the Opposition, a massive “India Out” campaign was launched in the country, alleging Indian interference in Bangladesh elections.
Opposition and dissidents alleged that Awami League, led by PM Sheikh Hasina, won the past three general elections with the support of India with which the party traditionally has had favourable ties.
In November last year, India said that it “respects the democratic process in Bangladesh”, just after an India-US bilateral meeting in the same month, which saw discussions on the Bangladesh election.
Describing Bangladesh as “a close friend and partner” of India, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said in a press conference in Delhi that “when it comes to developments in Bangladesh, elections in Bangladesh, it is their domestic matter. It is for the people of Bangladesh to decide their future”.
The country’s main opposition Bangladesh National Party, led by former PM Khaleda Zia, refused to accept the election verdict.
In the build-up to the election, there were more than 12 arson attacks and massive protests by tens of thousands of opposition party supporters, leading to detention and arrests.
–IANS
mi/pgh
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by TodayIndia.news and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of TodayIndia.news We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, TodayIndia.news takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
