Bangladesh’s deposed PM Hasina congratulates newly appointed West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari

Dhaka: Bangladesh’s deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday congratulated Suvendu Adhikari as he assumed office as West Bengal’s Chief Minister after BJP’s landslide victory in the state.   “I congratulate Suvendu Adhikari on my personal behalf and on behalf of the people of Bangladesh on his assuming office as the Chief Minister after the huge victory of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the West Bengal State Assembly,” Hasina said in a statement.

 She said West Bengal’s role in genuine friendly relations between Bangladesh and India was unique and “I believe under his leadership this relationship will reach a new trajectory”.

 “As a neighbour, we always wish for prosperity and peace in West Bengal,” said Hasina, whose Awami League was disbanded by Muhammad Yunus’ past interim regime, while the ban was endorsed by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s incumbent Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government in parliament.

 In another development, Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman, told reporters his party was observing the situation in West Bengal following the polls.  “We will do whatever is needed as a neighbour … not just West Bengal alone, we are opposed to any injustice against innocent people in any place in the world,” he said, adding that India was a secular country and its constitution entitled followers of any faith to every civic right.