 "Khaleda Zia has served as Bangladesh's prime minister multiple times. File Photo/Reuters")
Khaleda Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday said that they are not happy with India hosting former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina after she resigned and fled Dhaka.
According to a Times of India report, BNP, a major rival to Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, said that they have concerns over India “supporting” Hasina’s return to power.
“The BNP supports mutual cooperation between Bangladesh and India. However, if you help our enemy then it becomes difficult for that mutual cooperation to be honoured,” Times of India quoted Gayeshwar Roy, a senior leader of Zia’s party and former minister, as saying.
Roy asked if India should just promote one party and not the entire country.
“Sheikh Hasina’s liability is being borne by India… Indian and Bangladesh people don’t have issues with each other. But should India promote one party and not the entire country?” Roy asked.
After Sheikh Hasina abruptly resigned and fled to India leaving the country in turmoil following deadly protests against her government over a controversial quota system in jobs, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunis will head the interim government.
On Thursday, Yunus took oath as the head of an interim government. He was sworn in as the chief advisor - a position equivalent to prime minister.
Meanwhile, Hasina’s future plans remain unclear — whether she will seek asylum in another country, continue to stay in India, or return to Bangladesh.
Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, thanked the Indian government for “protecting” his mother and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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More ShortsJoy also called on India to lead efforts in the international community to restore democracy in Bangladesh. He also dismissed rumours about Hasina seeking asylum in the UK or her US visa been revoked.
With inputs from agencies