Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to opposition BNP on ‘India Out’ call: ‘Burn your wives’ sarees'

Rights groups say the country of 170 million is headed for virtual one-party rule, after the boycott by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and some of its smaller allies.

In a telephonic conversation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Sheikh Hasina for her historic fourth term win in the recently-concluded Bangladesh general elections.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said this move would increase regional connectivity and enhance people-to-people contacts

Sheikh Hasina is set to win a fourth straight term as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, as the country's main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has boycotted the polls.

Sheikh Hasina, in her first statement issued through her son Sajeeb Wazed after leaving Bangladesh, demanded a thorough investigation into the ongoing killings and vandalism in her country.

Thousands of people in Bangladesh protested against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government, demanding her resignation and a neutral caretaker government for the next election scheduled for January 2024. The

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina affirmed that India is a 'great friend' and highlighted bilateral resolutions of past issues. She expressed gratitude for India's support during the 1971 liberation war and her exile in 1975. Emphasizing the strong relationship, she stated that despite challenges, they have a wonderful connection.

Bangladesh began voting on Sunday in the general election, set to secure a fourth streight term in office for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following a boycott led by the country's key opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Voting started at 8 am (local time) and will conclude at 4 pm. The counting of votes will commence soon after the polls close, and the initial results are expected by early Monday. Nearly 2,000 candidates are vying for the 300 directly elected parliament seats, with a record high of 5.1 percent women candidates. Despite the BNP's boycott, Sheikh Hasina's Awami League alleges that they have fielded several independent candidates.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to visit India in June, following her victory in the national election. This visit would underscore the strong partnership between the two countries, with relations having strengthened over the past decade through various initiatives. Experts note the importance of maintaining this momentum by expanding cooperation and introducing new initiatives. Despite some Chinese funding in Bangladesh, the country has avoided falling into Chinese debt traps seen in other nations.

Indian observers believe that the Biden administration prefers the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to win next year's elections. BNP has encouraged anti-India terrorists and allowed China a bigger space in the region, when it was in power.