'Our Trusted Friend': Bangladesh PM Hasina Expresses Gratitude to India on Election Day

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed gratitude to India as the Muslim-majority nation undergoes general elections on Sunday, marked by violence and a boycott from the opposition. PM Hasina highlighted the enduring friendship between the two neighbours, fostered by support lent during the 1971 Liberation War.

“India is our trusted friend. During our Liberation War, they supported us. After 1975, when we lost our whole family. They gave us shelter,” Hasina was quoted saying by news agency ANI. Reflecting on personal tragedies in 1975, she recounted living in exile in India before returning to lead the Awami League for what could be her fourth straight term.

Post casting her vote at the Dhaka City College polling center early morning, Hasina stressed democracy’s pivotal role in national development. “Without democracy, you can’t make any development,” she said. Commending Bangladesh’s achievements in its democratic journey from 2009 to 2023, she underscored the importance of established democratic rights.

About 120 million voters will choose from nearly 2,000 candidates for 300 directly elected parliamentary seats. There are 436 independent candidates, the most since 2001. “Bangladesh is a sovereign country and people are my power,” Hasina said after voting, adding that she hoped her party would win the people’s mandate, which would give it a fifth term.

Addressing concerns over the veracity of the poll, she accused the opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), of instigating violence against the country’s development. Hasina’s remarks emphasized the significance of democracy, thanking Bangladeshis for their participation despite challenges.

At least four people were killed on Saturday in a passenger train fire that the government called arson, after several polling booths, schools and a Buddhist monastery were set ablaze last week. There were no reports of violence on voting day, however, as nearly 800,000 security forces guard polling booths, assisted by troops nationwide.

The BNP says the Awami League has propped up “dummy” candidates as independents to try to make the election look credible, a claim the ruling party denies. Hasina said she did not need to prove the credibility of the election to anyone. “I have to answer to the people of Bangladesh,” she said. “What is important is if the people of Bangladesh will accept this election.”