Lengthy talks with B Chowdhury’s Jukta Front leaders on Dhaka-Delhi ties
Dhaka, Nov 19 – Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Monday reiterated India’s position on Bangladesh election saying they have no involvement with the issues related to the next national election slated for December 30.
The High Commissioner said the next national election is an issue for the people of Bangladesh and political parties here.
Shringla made the remarks while talking to reporters after a ‘courtesy meeting’ with Bikalpadhara Bangladesh (BDB) President Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury at the latter’s Baridhara residence.
The High Commissioner said he had the courtesy meeting at the invitation of Badruddoza Chowdhury during which he wanted to know about BDB’s thoughts before the next elections, according to a BDB press release.
Bikalpadhara’s Secretary General Maj (retd) Abdul Mannan, presidium member and Badruddoza Chowdhury’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury and Juktafront spokesperson and presidium member Mahi B Chowdhury were, among others, present.
Shringla reached the residence of Badruddoza Chowdhury at 1:05 pm and had the meeting for about 90 minutes.
BDB secretary general Abdul Mannan said they have a very good relation with India and had a very frank and friendly discussion with the Indian High Commissioner.
Quoting the High Commissioner, he said the envoy termed the next election in Bangladesh an internal issue of Bangladesh.
“Maintaining good relations between the two countries was the main focus of the meeting,” he said adding that commercial and political relations also came up for discussions.
Shamsher said they believe in non-communal politics and want its continuation. “We conveyed this to him (Indian High Commissioner).”
He said they also talked about the water sharing issue with India and conveyed their positions as there are still some water-related matters pending between the two countries.
Shamsher said the friendly people-to-people contact between the two countries also came up for discussions at the meeting.
Mahi said BDB did not forge an alliance with “anti-nation” people in the greater interest of protecting democracy.
He said they want to bring in a change in Bangladesh politics by joining hands with pro-liberation forces.
Mahi also said the relations between Jukta Front and the grand alliance is a beginning of a new change in politics and they discussed that issue, too. – UNB
