Democracy ‘absent’ in Bangladesh

BNP chairperson informs Modi

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday told Indian prime minister Narendra Modi that ‘democracy is absent in Bangladesh’ and stressed the need to restore multi-party democracy to usher in sustainable development in the country and the Saarc region. The BNP delegation, led by Khaleda, discussed different socio-economic and political issues during the meeting with Modi at Hotel Sonargaon. After the meeting, Khaleda told foreign journalists that it was ‘fruitful’. The motorcade of the former premier reached Hotel Sonargaon at 3:45pm, shortly after Raushan Ershad, leader of the opposition, left the hotel.  BNP standing committee members Tariqul Islam, Nazrul Islam and Abdul Moin Khan, besides BNP chairperson’s advisers Reaz Rahman and Sabihuddin, were present during the 45-minute-long meeting that began at 3:50pm. Khaleda presented the Indian prime minister a dhoti and a saree for his mother. Meanwhile, briefing reporters, BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moin Khan said they have put importance on restoration of multiparty democracy, terming it the most important factor for overall development of the country.
“It is important to note that democracy is absent in Bangladesh. Not only in Bangladesh, it may lead to instability in the region,” he added. The BNP leader said, “Since we live in a global village, it is not possible for anyone to live in peace assuming that nobody would create problems.” He added that in the absence of democracy, the government's repression on thousands of opposition leaders and activists, including party acting secretary general Mirza Alamgir Kabir, also came up in the discussion.
“We held discussions over the current situation of the country. Democracy is absent in Bangladesh at present and there is no rule of law in the country as well. All institutions work as per the government’s wish, and thousands of opposition leaders and activists from the top to grassroots level have been facing repression and harassment,” he said. “We also told the Indian prime minister that people want to elect their representatives through a fair election and they want to get back their voting rights," he added. Moin Khan said they discussed a host of bilateral issues, including development programme for youth, women, child and economic situation. “We have said real development can only be ensured by guaranteeing freedom of expression and accountability,” he added. When asked about Modi's reply, Moin Khan said, “It is their part to disclose what Modi said during the meeting.” Sources said that Khaleda had handed over her party's policy papers to Modi, detailing its stand on democracy and the overall situation in the country. Indian foreign secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Indian high commissioner Pankaj Sharan were also present at the meeting.

 

Democracy absent in Bangladesh

BNP chairperson informs Modi

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday told Indian prime minister Narendra Modi that democracy is absent in Bangladesh and stressed the need to restore multi-party democracy to usher in sustainable development in the country and the Saarc region. The BNP delegation, led by Khaleda, discussed different socio-economic and political issues during the meeting with Modi at Hotel Sonargaon. After the meeting, Khaleda told foreign journalists that it was fruitful. The motorcade of the former premier reached Hotel Sonargaon at 3:45pm, shortly after Raushan Ershad, leader of the opposition, left the hotel. BNP standing committee members Tariqul Islam, Nazrul Islam and Abdul Moin Khan, besides BNP chairpersons advisers Reaz Rahman and Sabihuddin, were present during the 45-minute-long meeting that began at 3:50pm. Khaleda presented the Indian prime minister a dhoti and a saree for his mother. Meanwhile, briefing reporters, BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moin Khan said they have put importance on restoration of multiparty democracy, terming it the most important factor for overall development of the country. It is important to note that democracy is absent in Bangladesh. Not only in Bangladesh, it may lead to instability in the region, he added. The BNP leader said, Since we live in a global village, it is not possible for anyone to live in peace assuming that nobody would create problems. He added that in the absence of democracy, the governments repression on thousands of opposition leaders and activists, including party acting secretary general Mirza Alamgir Kabir, also came up in the discussion. We held discussions over the current situation of the country. Democracy is absent in Bangladesh at present and there is no rule of law in the country as well. All institutions work as per the governments wish, and thousands of opposition leaders and activists from the top to grassroots level have been facing repression and harassment, he said. We also told the Indian prime minister that people want to elect their representatives through a fair election and they want to get back their voting rights, he added. Moin Khan said they discussed a host of bilateral issues, including development programme for youth, women, child and economic situation. We have said real development can only be ensured by guaranteeing freedom of expression and accountability, he added. When asked about Modis reply, Moin Khan said, It is their part to disclose what Modi said during the meeting. Sources said that Khaleda had handed over her partys policy papers to Modi, detailing its stand on democracy and the overall situation in the country. Indian foreign secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Indian high commissioner Pankaj Sharan were also present at the meeting.