MNZGamerX
Full Member
- Dec 12, 2023
- 193
- 121
- Country of Origin
- Country of Residence
On September 20, a 'Closed Door Meeting' was held at the Ministry of External Affairs of India with Bangladesh affairs experts, journalists, diplomats and retired diplomats. The main topic of discussion in that meeting was 'Indian project going on in Bangladesh and Re-Settle Awami League' (rehabilitation of Awami League).
According to the sources of the meeting, journalists and bureaucrats as well as several professors were also invited to give their views. The meeting was attended by representatives of Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Vivekananda Foundation and Institute of Defense Studies and Analysis (IDSA).
In that meeting, it was asked to lay great emphasis on the 'smooth implementation' of the Indian projects going on in Bangladesh at the moment. Besides, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sheikh Hasina government and India has been reviewed, but it has been urged to ensure that the current government does not deviate from the agreements made.
However, overriding everything, the main discussion of that meeting was about Awami League's 'resettlement' (rehabilitation). The 'Minutes of the Meeting' are available to The Mirror Asia.
A representative present at the meeting said that they think that if elections are held in 2 to 3 years, the possibility of BNP coming to power is high. But BNP will get involved in various unpopular activities within five years. In the two-party political reality of Bangladesh, then the people's support will turn towards Awami League. In this discussion, the example of Sheikh Hasina's 'landslide' victory in 2009 was drawn.
In order to open that way for the future Awami League, it is urged to ensure the participation of Awami League in the current reform process and the upcoming elections. A think tank representative at the meeting said the re-settling Awami League would visit Bangladesh to seek advice from India's 'non-political friends' before finalizing the plan.
An intelligence officer present said that several grassroots leaders have already taken shelter from the centers of Awami League in Delhi, Kolkata and Agartala. They sought the support of the Indian authorities to mobilize. All Party Parliamentary Committee's permission will be required to allow Awami League to carry out political activities in India or not.
In response to that, an expert said, in 1971, Awami League ran a party in India. They held party meetings in Calcutta, Agartala, Communist Party of Nepal was established in Calcutta.
He claimed that the history of allowing political parties in neighboring countries to carry out party activities in India during crisis is not new. He was in favor of allowing the Awami League to be organized in India.
In response to his statement, a retired diplomat said that the party activities of Awami League in India should be conducted secretly and the media should not know about it. Otherwise, relations with the current government may suffer.
The retired Bengali diplomat said that although we have denied the allegations that we have sustained Hasina since 2014, the leaders and activists of Awami League called it heroic. He added that Awami League leaders also need to be given orientation in that regard.
