India calls for ‘free, fair, inclusive’ Bangla polls

Unremitting hostilities against minorities in Bangladesh: MEA

- DIVYAA

IN FIRST REMARKS on Bangladesh a day after BNP leader Tarique Rahman returned to Dhaka ending 17 years of self-exile, India said on Friday that the homecoming should be seen in the context of ensuring “free, fair, inclusive and participatory elections” scheduled for February in the neighbouring country.

Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia who is ailing, is the BNP’s acting chairman and is tipped to be the next Prime Minister. His party is expected to come to power after the February 12 elections. Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League has been barred from the polls.