As a new government has been in place in neighbouring India, BNP wants Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi to distance from the current 'regime' in Bangladesh and join the other democratic countries of the world to push it for a fresh election, reports UNB.
According to BNP insiders, the party leaders are in touch with influential BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leaders to convince them to make a shift from India's current foreign policy towards Bangladesh as it is said to be biased to a particular party.
Claming that BNP has a good understanding with Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, they hoped she will be able to persuade the Modi administration that Bangladesh and its people deserve a democratic and legitimate government.
"The current regime is not elected with people's votes. People here want to establish a democratic and pro-people government through a fresh lection. We hope the new Indian government will try to study the minds of Bangladesh people and will act in line with it," BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told the news agency.
Being the largest democratic country in the world its previous government, led by Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), had blindly supported an 'illegal and undemocratic' government in Bangladesh showing disrespect for the opinions of the country's 90 per cent people.
The BNP spokesman, however, said they hope the Modi government, as an ideal neighbour, will join the other democratic countries in the world which have long been calling for a fresh election in Bangladesh as soon as possible to restore democracy in the country. He also hoped that the new Indian government will come forward and take steps to resolve various unsettled bilateral issues like putting an end to border killings and ensuring due share of water of the common rivers.
"Modi is a charismatic leader. He is aware of the current Bangladesh government and the expectations and opinions of its people. So, he'll work out his governments' policy towards Bangladesh based on reality," said BNP standing committee member Lt Gen Mahbubur Rahman.
The BNP policymaking body member said the new Indian government, unlike the Congress-led administration, will not back the current 'undemocratic and illegal' government in the interest of regional peace and stability.
He also hoped that the Modi government would be sincere about strengthening India's relations with the people of Bangladesh instead of any particular party, and will take effective measures to resolve longstanding problems.
"The new Indian government surely knows the current Bangladesh government lacks people's mandate. BNP hopes the new Indian government will be respectful for the will and aspirations of Bangladeshi people as it has elevated to power as per the will and expectations of Indian people," said BNP international affairs secretary Asaduzzaman Ripon.
