Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) denounced on Saturday the statement made by Maria Vladimirovna Zakharova, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, on the internal affairs of Bangladesh and its upcoming 12th parliament elections.
Earlier the Russian spokesperson on Wednesday (Nov 22, 2023) during a regular press briefing in Moscow alleged that US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter D Haas had a meeting with an opposition leader in Dhaka about anti-government movement of the political parties.
In the press briefing, she said Bangladesh has the ability to hold legitimate elections without foreign interference.
The United States (US) interferes into the internal affairs of Bangladesh, which goes against the Viena Convention, she alleged.
"This (the statement given by the Russian spokesperson) hurts the sentiment of democratic loving people of Bangladesh," Senior Joint Secretary General of BNP Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said in a statement issued on Saturday.
He said the comment made by the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson is conflicting with the aspiration of Bangladeshi people.
Mr Rizvi said his party differs on her comment saying BNP is expecting a positive role from the Kremlin.
"BNP and Bangladeshi people took notice of the comments made by Maria Zakharova on her Twitter account, alleging that the United States was interfering into the internal affairs of Bangladesh, including its forthcoming elections," he stated.
"She (Maria Zakharova) alleged that US Ambassador in Dhaka Peter D Haas planned with the opposition parties about their October 28 grand rally in the capital Dhaka," he said.
Mr Rizvi also said the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson had raised complaints saying the US envoy meddled into the internal affairs of Bangladesh.
It is to be mentioned that a section of local media outlets published news reports about the spokesperson's comments on Bangladesh on October 23 this year.
The statement given by Zakharova was posted on the verified Facebook page of the Russian Federation Embassy in Dhaka Bangladesh.
"The comments made by the Russian foreign ministry's spokesperson is conflicting with the stand and expectations of Bangladeshi people about holding a free, fair and inclusive national election in Bangladesh," he maintained.
"BNP differs with this wrong information and misleading explanation given by her (Maria Zakharova)," he added.
Mr Rizvi further said such kind of unwanted and unexpected statement given by Russian diplomat against a foreign diplomat (US ambassador in Dhaka) accusing him of helping BNP for its grand rally never came in the past.
"This kind of unfounded comments delivered by the Russian diplomat contradicts against Bangladeshi people's aspirations for restoring democracy in the country," he said in the statement.
"Virtually Zakharova's comments simply support the corruption-ridden ruling party Awami League by ignoring the people's aspirations," he maintained.
He also said Bangladesh and Russia have a longstanding friendship regarding their mutual interests and trade and businesses.
"BNP deeply recognises and expresses gratitude to Russia for its historical contributions to our (Bangladesh's) War of Liberation," he added.
"We expect that Russia would respect Bangladeshi people's democratic values, their determination to independence and great sacrifices," he said.
Mr Rizvi further said the ruling Awami League snatched away people's rights to vote during elections in 2014 and 2018.
He alleged that during the previous elections Awami League applied all techniques to loot votes.
Reiterating his party's belief that a free, fair and participatory national election will not be possible under the ruling AL, Mr Rizvi demanded cancellation of the polls schedule, resignation of the government and holding the elections under a neutral caretaker administration.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
