BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy has called for the restoration of the people’s democratic right to vote in Bangladesh. Gayeshwar Chandra emphasized that while the country may have freed itself from "fascism," democracy remains out of reach for the people, as they are still waiting for the opportunity to vote. The BNP leader came up with the remarks while addressing a rally at the Barabari Shaheed Abul Kashem College ground in Lalmonirhat on Saturday afternoon. "People do not want to hear anything new; they are simply waiting to cast their votes. The people's right to vote must be restored through prompt elections," Roy stated, urging the interim government to take immediate steps to arrange for elections. Act responsibly or risk losing public trust: Tarique to BNP followers  He further urged political unity, calling for a collective effort to build a "new Bangladesh" in line with the ideals of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, and Tarique Rahman. He emphasized the importance of Bangladeshi nationalism in this pursuit, stressing that the country has been freed from fascism but not yet from democracy. Additionally, Roy reiterated BNP's stance on political reforms, pointing to their 31-point proposal which he suggested could be reviewed by the government for dialogue with political parties. He called for political solutions through consensus-based reforms, asserting that political problems should be resolved by politicians themselves. Among others, BNP Organizing Secretary Asadul Habib Dulu, Rural Development Affairs Secretary Farhad Hossain Azad, and former Dhaka South City Corporation mayoral candidate Engineer Ishraque Hossain, also attended the programme.  

Law adviser Asif Nazrul has said they will hold the national election as soon as possible on completion of necessary reforms. “This is not a matter for the Ministry of Law. We will hold the elections as soon as possible after implementing the most essential reforms,” he said responding to a question at a press conference at the Secretariat about the 100-day activities of the Ministry. “Must protect country from militancy and fundamentalism”: Asif Nazrul He stressed the need for ensuring transparency in the electoral process. “We do not want any fake elections like before, nor do we want anyone to use electoral victory as a means to organise fraudulent elections in the future. Beyond this, we have no other interest.”  “Most members of the interim government are keen to return to their respective professions as soon as possible. There has been no mention of a four-year tenure, he added.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the country's most urgent need is now a free, fair and acceptable election, as various conspiracies and campaigns are being orchestrated against the nation. Talking to journalists at his residence in Thakurgaon district town, the BNP leader said that the proportional representation electoral system is not feasible in the context of Bangladesh. “We’re not concerned about Awami League’s participation in the upcoming election. Our worry is about when the next election will be held, as the current interim government has not yet presented any roadmap for the polls,” he said. Those who may create controversies shouldn’t be given charge: Fakhrul Fakhrul also said the government has formed a committee to reform the electoral system, which has already sent the BNP a letter. “We’re working on it and will provide our feedback very soon. What we have emphasised is that, in the current context, what is most needed in Bangladesh is a free, fair and acceptable election.” He said they have repeatedly talked about the need to make the electoral system suitable for elections and create a level playing field.  “An elected government and an elected parliament are crucial to addressing the country's political and economic crises. This is the point we have been stressing again and again." The BNP leader said India, which has provided shelter to Sheikh Hasina, the main architect of fascism, is carrying out various harmful campaigns against Bangladesh. "We should be cautious about this, or else, as a nation, we will face great danger.” Fakhrul said the number of advisers to the interim government has reached 21, as there are no specific rules regarding the number of advisers. “They can be appointed as needed to run the country,” he explained. The BNP leader said the decision on who will be appointed as an adviser, or who will not, is entirely the responsibility of the Chief Adviser, Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus. “However, I would like to request him to be careful in ensuring that controversial people are not inducted into the advisory council,” Fakhrul said. Stating that the fascist Awami League government has successfully divided the nation, the BNP leader said, "We want to eliminate this division and create a united nation. In a democratic society, there will be different opinions. But on the fundamental issues of Bangladesh's independence, sovereignty, democracy, and people's rights, there must be unity.” He also said the interim government must be given time, as it is not possible to clear 17 years of mess in 17 days or 17 months. "For this, those of you who are in the government have less responsibility. When a democratic government comes, that parliament will carry out those tasks.” The BNP leader also said the interim government should not focus on all reforms, but rather only on those necessary for the election. "The rest of the reforms should be carried out by the elected parliament. That’s why we’ve been saying that the election must be held within a reasonable time frame, and the government must present a roadmap for it." He explained that the main responsibility of this government is to create a level playing field for the election, ensuring that everyone can cast their vote and participate in the process. “The issue of vote rigging must be eradicated, and measures should be taken to ensure that. At the same time, impartial people should be appointed to oversee the election process, the judiciary must be made independent, and the administration must be neutral,” Fakhrul observed. He also pointed out that it is a very difficult situation for ordinary people to cope with the rising prices of daily essentials. "The current government should give more attention to this issue. We hope that there are highly capable individuals within the government. I expect the government to take all the necessary steps to bring the market back to normal," he added.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Dr Col (retd) Oli Ahmad on Saturday called for a quick completion of reform works before holding the next national election, reminding all that the time is limited. “We are telling you that reforms need to be done quickly. Time is short, you have to work fast,” he told reporters after holding a dialogue with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at state guest house Jamuna. The LDP chief said the election should be held but before that those who were involved in killings and stealing money should be brought to justice.   AL has no rights to do politics; it should be banned: Oli Ahmad “Let us build the house first, and then you can decide in which room you want to stay,” Oli said, apparently indicating that reforms need to be done before the election. “What’s the point of doing an election if all the thieves and dacoits remain there?” he said, adding that Jamaat (top Jamaat leaders) were hanged (for their crimes against humanity), now Awami League (AL leaders) will have to be hanged. Oli encouraged the media to build an opinion to that end, saying it is their responsibility. “Nobody is above the law. It is the rule of the law in democracy, which needs to be maintained.” Noting that one of the points they forgot to share with the Chief Adviser and that is related to recovering stolen money for the looters. Election timing to be fixed under CA's leadership: Asif Nazrul “Those who looted people’s money should be kept in a hotel; or an army and police barrack so that they can sleep on floors instead of soft beds,” Oli said, seeking steps to force the looters to return the money to the State.

Just two months into the interim government, various discussions on electoral reforms, timelines and systems are gaining momentum, yet the voices and preferences of people seem to be lost in the noise. While one faction advocates for a parliamentary election, others are calling for a proportional representation system. The real question is: which form of government and electoral process best suits Bangladesh? A large segment of political parties is advocating for national elections to be held using a proportional representation (PR) system instead of the existing method. But the BNP, one of the major parties, opposes this approach and supports the current system. However, the Awami League's position in the evolving political landscape remains unclear. But election experts think neither the government, nor the political parties and voters are prepared for its introduction in the next polls. They say that while the PR system offers many potential benefits, its feasibility depends on strong political will, public support and the readiness of both political actors and the electorate to transition from the current first-past-the-post (FPTP) system. The experts suggest that the PR system could be incorporated into the constitution as a directive for future implementation, as it may help create a more vibrant parliament with diverse viewpoints, reduce the influence of money and muscle in elections, and prevent autocracy and fascism. PR, or proportional representation, is an electoral system where the distribution of seats aligns with the proportion of total votes each party receives. For instance, if a party gets 40 percent of the total votes, the PR system would allocate 40 percent of the seats for it in parliament. “PR is a good election system. I support it and I have even written a book on why it’s necessary for Bangladesh. However, we won’t be able to implement it in the next national election because we’re not ready. Our government, political parties and voters are unprepared for it,” said renowned election expert Dr Tofail Ahmed. Read more: Bangladesh needs election-time neutral govt for fair polls: Speakers  He noted that around 70 to 80 countries currently practise some form of proportional representation system worldwide. “It’s encouraging that political parties are advocating for the introduction of the system. However, our voters lack knowledge about it. We must first educate them, and this process will take time to ensure people understand it,” he said. Besides, the election expert said the PR system encompasses various forms and definitions, reflecting different approaches to achieving proportionality in electoral outcomes. “We need a political consensus on which one we will adopt.” He said that a significant barrier to implementing this system is that major parties may not accept it, as it could disrupt their dominant power and make it more difficult for them to secure a majority. “The BNP and Awami League are our two main parties, sharing the support of the majority of voters in the country. The BNP is opposing this system, and we aren’t hearing the views from the Awami League due to the current political situation. I believe they may also not support it. Even if Jamaat had a larger voter base, they likely would not back it either,” Tofail said. He stated that smaller parties are in favour of the PR system, as it would provide them with the opportunity to secure seats that they might not obtain under the existing system. “So, implementation of this system is very challenging. We should give the political parties time to understand the PR process and its benefits. It won’t be wise to impose by the interim government without political consensus,” Tofail observed. He said the reform commission on the constitution can propose incorporating a guideline in the national charter for the introduction of the system and its implementation in phases. The election expert pointed out that the BNP is discussing a bicameral parliament and a national government, which could ensure the participation of people from diverse backgrounds in governance, creating a balance of power and facilitating lawmaking. “We should now focus on these two issues alongside the restoration of the caretaker government.” BNP seeks election roadmap, new EC based on political consensus Chairman of the Jatiya Nirbachon Parjabekkhon Parishad-Janipop, Prof Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, said the PR system exists in various forms in about 80 countries worldwide, and he has been advocating for its implementation since the 1990s. He emphasised that it is crucial to convince the major political parties about the PR system. “Otherwise, it won’t be possible to introduce this system in the future.” Former bureaucrat Abu Alam Md Shahid Khan proposed a mixed electoral system that combines proportional representation (PR) with the existing traditional system by increasing the number of parliamentary constituencies from 300 to 450. “In that case, the current electoral system could apply to 300 constituencies, while the PR system would be used for 150 constituencies,” he explained. On October 9, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami presented a 10-point state reform proposal, including the introduction of the PR system. During a seminar on electoral reform on October 12, Jamaat leader Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud, Ganosamhati Andolan Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki, Gana Adhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque, Jatiya Party Presidium member Shameem Haider Patwary, and CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince all advocated for the PR system. Additionally, some Islamic parties, including Islami Andolan Bangladesh, have also called for its introduction. Contacted, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the PR system is not suitable for Bangladesh. “We won’t support it. This method is not practised in Bangladesh, so there is no question of its application in the next election.” Read more: In FB post AL accuse interim govt of protecting the criminals

Speakers at a seminar on Saturday stressed the need for an election-time neutral government system to make general elections fair, neutral and credible until the current political reality is changed. They suggested the reintroduction of the ‘no vote’ system, narrowing the scope of uncontested election, widening the scope for the government employees to play an impartial role during elections and for making them more accountable in the case of irregularities. Jamaat will wait for elections until reforms are completed, says Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman  Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) arranged the seminar titled ‘What Reform to the Electoral System is Desirable?’ at the city’s Cirdap auditorium. Textiles and Jute Adviser and also former election commissioner M Sakhawat Hossain, Chief of Electoral Reform Commission Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, political leaders, student representatives and journalists spoke at the seminar. Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar said the Election Commission, the administration or the government, the political parties, media and civil society are important stakeholders to make an election fair and credible. Democracy is more than elections: Tarique Talking about the role of government, he said there was a caretaker government system, but it was scrapped in a quite unconstitutional and unjust way.   “An election-time neutral government system is needed no matter what we call it – it may be the caretaker government system or another system,” he said. Describing the election as a long-term process, Dr Majumdar said the process started from the preparation of electoral rolls. “This election process must be fair, impartial and credible. Otherwise the elections would be controversial and incredible in many ways if we keep our focus on just the Election Day. So, we need to review the whole process,” he said. Noting that democracy is a basic structure of the constitution, he said if the election does not make democratic system effective, it is a violation of the constitution. “We witnessed this violation in the past,” he said, expressing his optimism that there would be no such violation in the future. A political consensus and change of political culture are required over holding a fair election, he said, adding that the political parties had played the responsible roles during the 1991 general election, which is one of the best elections in Bangladesh. The chief of the Electoral Reform Commission asked the political parties to submit their election-related written proposals to the commission. Adviser Sakhawat Hossain recommended the effectiveness of the Election Commission’s (EC’s) actions against the government employees over election irregularities should be harsher. “If a government employee makes any deviation while working with the Election Commission for 15 days, the report of the Election Commission should be the final report for his or her career,” he said. If they (government employees) can be made accountable in this way, many problems would go, he added. The former election commissioner said the caretaker government won’t be required so much in case of a bicameral parliamentary system. “In that case, the EC will have to be given a kind of authority over the ministries during the elections.” He criticised the RPO amendment that reduced the EC’s authority over cancellation of an entire election.  Sakhawat said proportional representation (PR) can be introduced in the case of the election to 50 women reserve seats. BNP Vice Chairman Asaduzzaman Ripon said a caretaker government or election-time government system should be introduced. “I think the caretaker government should be here for 100 years.” He said there should be no provision for uncontested elections. In case of a single candidate against a post, the polls should be rescheduled, he added. The BNP leader said the law regarding appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners undoubtedly needs to be amended. BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal said as per his party's 31-point state reform proposal, if BNP is elected, it would form a national government with representatives of other political parties. “No one shall be the Prime Minister or the President for over two consecutive terms. It is a proposal of the BNP. There should be a balance between the authority of the President and the Prime Minister, which was included in the BNP's reform proposal,” he said. During the election time, no writ petition should be acceptable in any higher court or any other court without taking opinions of the Election Commission, said Moazzem. Jamaat leader Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud said, “The caretaker government system should be reinstated permanently in the constitution.” He suggested EVM or DVM systems should be scrapped as the machines are used as tools to deceive people. The Jamaat leader also recommended making local government elections as non-partisan ones, cancellation of the political party registration system, introduction of PR system and withdrawal of the provision for an independent aspirant to collect the signatures of one percent voters. Chief Coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolan Zonayed Saki said the next 3-5 general elections should be held under the non-partisan election-time government or the interim government. “The institutions won't be developed or the mindset would be changed immediately after the reform. So, the next 3-5 elections should be under an interim government,” he said. Saki said no hate speech should be allowed in the electoral campaign and the ‘No vote’ system should be reinstated. He said the provisions in the political party registration act should be eased to promote the formation of new political parties. President of Gana Adhikar Parishad Nurul Haque Nur said the local government elections need to be held in non-partisan manner. “A neutral administration and neutral government system will have to be ensured, if you want fair elections in future,” he said, adding that the PR will have to be ensured. Jatiya Party presidium member Shameem Haider Patwary said no more than 10 percent uncontested MPs should not be in an election and the PR system should be introduced. General Secretary of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) Ruhin Hossain Prince recommended restoration of election-time government, reinstatement of ‘No vote’ system, introduction of PR system and dissolution of Parliament ahead of election. Journalist Sohrab Hassan said the 15th amendment to the constitution needs to be cancelled first and women representation should be ensured through direct election. Besides, AB Party Member Secretary Mojibur Rahman Manju and Nagorik Committee member and representative of the students Ariful Rahman Adit, and RFED general secretary Humayun Kabir also spoke at the function moderated by RFED president Akramul Hoque Sayem.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has put forward a comprehensive set of 41 proposals for state reform, including key changes to the judiciary, the abolition of electronic voting machines (EVMs), and police law reforms. The party also called for increasing the age limit for government jobs to 35 years and raising the retirement age to 62. Jamaat seeks reform first for successful elections The proposals were unveiled today by Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher during a press conference at the Westin hotel in Dhaka’s Gulshan. Jamaat's Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, was also present at the event. Jamaat Amir calls for national unity At the outset of his speech, Dr. Taher prayed for those who lost their lives during the July-August movement, calling on Allah to accept them as martyrs. He accused the Awami League of establishing authoritarian control over the country, saying, "Awami League entrenched its power through dictatorship, capturing the administration, executive branch, and judiciary. Thousands of cases were filed to create a reign of oppression." AL's remnants still actively hatching conspiracies against interim govt: Jamaat Secretary General Dr. Taher emphasized the need for a separation between the judiciary and the executive branch. “To ensure justice, the judiciary must be reformed,” he said, adding that civil cases should be resolved within five years and criminal cases within three years. Restoration of Caretaker Government and EVM Abolition Jamaat-e-Islami also reiterated its demand for the reinstatement of the caretaker government system for national elections, accusing the Awami League of dismantling the electoral process. "The ruling party destroyed the electoral system by abolishing the caretaker government," the party said, stressing the need for its permanent restoration and the cancellation of the EVM system. Police Reforms and Accountability The party also called for reforms in police laws, proposing the creation of an independent commission for transfers and promotions to eliminate political interference. Dr. Taher advocated for incorporating religious and moral education into police training and reducing the use of lethal weapons. Reforms in Government Employment On government employment, Jamaat proposed that job applications should be free of charge and that the maximum age limit for entry into government jobs be raised to 35 years for the next two years and then set permanently at 33 years, with retirement at 62. The party also demanded the cancellation of appointments obtained through leaked examination papers or corruption. Strengthening the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to operate independently was another key recommendation. Term Limits for Prime Ministers Jamaat proposed a two-term limit for anyone holding the office of Prime Minister, advocating for a balance of power between the Prime Minister and the President. Cultural and Educational Reforms The party also suggested reforms in the cultural and educational sectors, recommending the inclusion of teachings about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in all levels of education. They further called for the elimination of obscenity in films, television dramas, and digital content. Foreign Relations and Hajj Costs On foreign policy, Dr. Taher emphasized the importance of fair and balanced relations with neighboring countries, particularly on shared rivers with China, Nepal, and India. Jamaat also urged the government to take effective steps to reduce the costs of Hajj and Umrah for pilgrims. Accountability for Genocide Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman demanded that those involved in genocide who had fled the country be brought back and tried in court. Election vs. Reform: Jamaat’s Roadmap When asked about the sequence of elections and reforms, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that there would be two roadmaps—one for reforms and one for elections. He emphasized that neither process should be excessively long or rushed, noting, “There are many political parties in the country. For a vibrant parliament, the public must vote for the right candidates, not just the party.”

BNP senior secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday asked the interim government to arrange a free and fair election soon by completing the necessary reform tasks for the sake of building a new and democratic Bangladesh as per the aspirations of the recent revolution. “We’ve to move towards the establishment of a new, revolutionary, democratic Bangladesh with the rule of law Bangladesh and independence of the judiciary. So, a free and fair election should be held as soon as possible,” he said while addressing a rally in the city. Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) jointly arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding the withdrawal all ‘false’ cases filed against Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman and opening the daily Amar Desh.     Rizvi said the aspirations of the revolution could be implemented soon if the power of the people is given to (the representatives of) people by completing the necessary reform tasks. Noting that fascism and Nazis should never be politically and socially rehabilitated in the country, he said Mussolini hadn’t returned to Italy and Hitler hadn’t been resettled in Germany. “So, mafia-nazi-fascists should no way be resettled in Bangladesh,” he said. Referring to sending Mahmudur Rahman to jail, the BNP leader said it is a question of the nation as to why the government that came through a huge sacrifice is torturing the pro-democratic revolutionary people by using the laws enacted by Sheikh Hasina. "We want to see a revolutionary government. A government will have to work realising the public sentiment. We don’t want a government like Sheikh Hasina's one,” he said. Rizvi questioned why Mahmudur Rahman had to go to jail in the 'fascism-free Bangladesh.' Citing that the law adviser is surely a dignified man and very close to them, he said the law adviser mentioned about laws in this regard, but the revolutionary government should not work on the basis of the traditional laws. Referring to Jagannath University student Khadijatul Kubra who was sent to the jail in a case filed under the Digital Security Act (DSA) by the Awami League government, he questioned why master's student Khadija still in the jail and how does the administration run. "If a student is still in jail just because of a (facebook) post, then we have to understand the ghosts of Sheikh Hasina are in the court, the administration and the police today and they are disturbing this government at every step," he said. The BNP leader claimed that now the secret associates of Sheikh Hasina are trying to create confusion in the administration, the police and everywhere. "Your police stand idle. How come a murder is committed in front of the police! Then the responsibility (of the murder) goes on the interim government,” he said. Addressing the function, BFUJ Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury said they feel very sad that they had to take to the streets to meet their demands after the students-people mass uprising. “We demand all closed media outlets including newspapers be opened. We demand the withdrawal of the false cases filed by killer Hasina against the journalists and political leaders," he said. DUJ President Shahidul Islam said the law adviser must tell why Mahmudur Rahman had to go to jail. BNP's Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sharafat Ali Sapu, among others, spoke at the rally presided over by BFUJ acting president Obaidur Rahman Shahin.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to leave for New Delhi on Saturday to attend her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony at his invitation. PM's speechwriter, M Nazrul Islam, today confirmed her joining in the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Sunday (June 9). She will return home on June 10, he added. Modi is likely to take oath as the prime minister of India for the historic third term in a row on June 9 after his BJP-led NDA alliance won 293 seats in the elections for 543-member Lok Sabha, the lower house of Indian parliament. PM Hasina and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremsinghe are among the foreign leaders who have been invited to witness Modi’s oath-taking ceremony. Earlier, Modi invited Hasina to attend the swearing-in ceremony of his government,  and she accepted the invitation. Modi has thanked PM Hasina for her warm wishes following his election victory. Prime Minister Hasina was among the first foreign leaders to congratulate Modi, reflecting the warmth and personal rapport between the two leaders. "India and Bangladesh share historic relations, which have seen unprecedented growth in the last decade," Modi said. In a message shared through X, Modi said he looks forward to working together to further strengthen the people-centric partnership between Bangladesh and India. Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina congratulated Narendra Modi on the resounding victory of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Lok Sabha election. "As the leader of the largest democracy in the world, you carry the hopes and aspirations of the people of India," she said. Modi received a congratulatory telephone call from Sheikh Hasina for the victory of NDA, according to the Press Information Bureau of India. The two leaders pledged to continue working together to further deepen the historic and close ties under the renewed mandate towards achieving Viksit Bharat 2047 and Smart Bangladesh 2041. They acknowledged the significant improvements achieved in the lives of the people of both countries in the last decade and looked forward to further enhancing the transformative relationship across all domains that include economic and development partnership, energy security, connectivity including digital linkages and people-to-people contacts among others. PM Narendra Modi called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday and tendered his resignation along with the Union council of ministers.

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today (June 05, 2024) congratulated the winning alliance led by BJP and the people of India for exercising their democratic rights in the just-held election in India. The Foreign Minister also congratulated the Congress-led alliance INDIA. “We congratulate NDA, INDIA and the people of India for continuing the democratic trend. It’s an inspiration and example of democracy,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while responding to a question. The BJP emerged victorious on 240 out of 543 seats, while the Congress secured 99 seats. Despite the Lok Sabha having 543 members, counting was conducted for 542 seats following the uncontested election of BJP's Surat candidate, Mukesh Dalal. Hasan said a new government will soon be formed in India and hoped that the relations between Bangladesh and India will reach to a new height with deeper cooperation and expansion of people-to-people ties. Read more: PM Hasina to visit New Delhi June 21-22 and China July 9-12 “This is the choice of the Indian people. The same alliance will be in power. Our ties will continue. Our relationship with India is based on the spirit of 1971 Liberation War and bonded through shared sacrifice and blood,” said the Foreign Minister. He said opposition parties in India play a responsible role which is not seen in Bangladesh. Responding to a question on the water-sharing issue, Hasan said the government of Bangladesh deals with the central government of India and they will continue discussion on fair share of water of common rivers. “We have excellent relations with India. This special relationship cannot be compared to anyone else,” Hasan said. Read more: Dhaka's interest to join BRICS: Beijing assures its support to Dhaka