Staff Reporter :
A BNP delegation headed by party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on Sunday discussed the latest political development of the country, particularly the ‘absence of democracy’, with visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We have told the Indian premier that there is no democracy and rule of law in Bangladesh. We have also told him that a fresh election should be held in participation of all stakeholders to overcome the situation,” BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moeen Khan, one of members of the delegation, told reporters after the meeting.
He, however, said that the issue of ‘absence of democracy’ was on the top of the discussion in the meeting.
The meeting between Indian Premier Modi and BNP Chairperson Khaleda was held at Hotel Sonargaon in the city on Sunday afternoon. The meeting continued for about 45 minutes.
A five-member senior leaders of the party accompanied Khaleda Zia during the meeting. They are BNP standing committee members Tariqul Islam, Dr Abdul Moeen Khan and Nazrul Islam Khan, BNP chairperson’s advisors Sabihuddin Ahmed and Reaz Rahman.
Later, the Indian Premier Modi had a 10-minute tete-a-tete with Khaleda Zia. The one-on-one meeting between them was held after the scheduled time, said Dr Moeen Khan.
He said, “The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. We have discussed a range of bilateral issues and laid emphasis on
strengthening relations of the people of the two countries. Modi stressed on regional development. We praised his initiatives in this regard. We have told the Indian PM that development is not possible without democracy. Without democracy, the people’s welfare could not be ensured anywhere in the world. Bangladesh’s development will also not be possible unless a representative government is there.”
Asked what Modi’s response, the BNP leader asked the reporters to put forth the question to team members of the Indian PM. “Now, I won’t tell anything. It is a matter of the Indian government. They will say,” he said.
When asked about her meeting with Indian Premier Modi, Khaleda Zia said that the meeting was very ‘fruitful’.
Khalea Zia and Modi discussed on recent political situation, democracy, election, bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India and other issues during the meeting.
Sources said, BNP’s delegation tried to convince Modi that the Awami League-led government is ‘unelected’ and ‘undemocratic’ and India’s help needs for restoring the democracy in Bangladesh. The delegation wants India’s pressure on the Bangladesh government to hold a mid-term election, as the Indian Constitution allows its government to work for strengthening the democratic system and movement of other countries.
“Repression on the leaders and workers of BNP was discussed during the meeting. Repressive acts of the law enforcers were also discussed. In response, the Indian PM told the BNP delegation to practice democratic politics peacefully. He also expressed India’s concern about some parties of the BNP-led alliance, and urged the BNP to cut ties with the forces of fundamentalism. Modi, however, assured Khaleda Zia that he would work for restoring democracy in Bangladesh,” said a reliable source.
Meanwhile, The Times of India, a leading Indian English daily, in its online version reported that Khaleda Zia sought Modi’s intervention in ‘restoration’ of democracy in the country as she called on him on Sunday. “Calling on the Prime Minister (Modi), she conveyed to Modi that there was no democracy in the country and stressed that to ensure ‘actual development’ in Bangladesh voices of the people must be heard,” says the report.
Asked about Khaleda Zia’s meeting with Modi, Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said India supports democracy and opposes fundamentalism.
A BNP delegation headed by party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on Sunday discussed the latest political development of the country, particularly the ‘absence of democracy’, with visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We have told the Indian premier that there is no democracy and rule of law in Bangladesh. We have also told him that a fresh election should be held in participation of all stakeholders to overcome the situation,” BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moeen Khan, one of members of the delegation, told reporters after the meeting.
He, however, said that the issue of ‘absence of democracy’ was on the top of the discussion in the meeting.
The meeting between Indian Premier Modi and BNP Chairperson Khaleda was held at Hotel Sonargaon in the city on Sunday afternoon. The meeting continued for about 45 minutes.
A five-member senior leaders of the party accompanied Khaleda Zia during the meeting. They are BNP standing committee members Tariqul Islam, Dr Abdul Moeen Khan and Nazrul Islam Khan, BNP chairperson’s advisors Sabihuddin Ahmed and Reaz Rahman.
Later, the Indian Premier Modi had a 10-minute tete-a-tete with Khaleda Zia. The one-on-one meeting between them was held after the scheduled time, said Dr Moeen Khan.
He said, “The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. We have discussed a range of bilateral issues and laid emphasis on
strengthening relations of the people of the two countries. Modi stressed on regional development. We praised his initiatives in this regard. We have told the Indian PM that development is not possible without democracy. Without democracy, the people’s welfare could not be ensured anywhere in the world. Bangladesh’s development will also not be possible unless a representative government is there.”
Asked what Modi’s response, the BNP leader asked the reporters to put forth the question to team members of the Indian PM. “Now, I won’t tell anything. It is a matter of the Indian government. They will say,” he said.
When asked about her meeting with Indian Premier Modi, Khaleda Zia said that the meeting was very ‘fruitful’.
Khalea Zia and Modi discussed on recent political situation, democracy, election, bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India and other issues during the meeting.
Sources said, BNP’s delegation tried to convince Modi that the Awami League-led government is ‘unelected’ and ‘undemocratic’ and India’s help needs for restoring the democracy in Bangladesh. The delegation wants India’s pressure on the Bangladesh government to hold a mid-term election, as the Indian Constitution allows its government to work for strengthening the democratic system and movement of other countries.
“Repression on the leaders and workers of BNP was discussed during the meeting. Repressive acts of the law enforcers were also discussed. In response, the Indian PM told the BNP delegation to practice democratic politics peacefully. He also expressed India’s concern about some parties of the BNP-led alliance, and urged the BNP to cut ties with the forces of fundamentalism. Modi, however, assured Khaleda Zia that he would work for restoring democracy in Bangladesh,” said a reliable source.
Meanwhile, The Times of India, a leading Indian English daily, in its online version reported that Khaleda Zia sought Modi’s intervention in ‘restoration’ of democracy in the country as she called on him on Sunday. “Calling on the Prime Minister (Modi), she conveyed to Modi that there was no democracy in the country and stressed that to ensure ‘actual development’ in Bangladesh voices of the people must be heard,” says the report.
Asked about Khaleda Zia’s meeting with Modi, Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said India supports democracy and opposes fundamentalism.
