A report emerged in Indian media claiming that Bangladesh's second largest political party BNP has sought New Delhi's intervention to "restore democracy" in the country.
Times of India carried the story on Wednesday, fourth day of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's confinement to her Gulshan office in Dhaka, quoting BNP’s standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan.
He was quoted as saying "India as a neighbour and a friendly country should stand by the people of Bangladesh to restore democracy,”
“India is a mature democracy and Bangladesh also aspires to be a truly democratic country. Free and fair elections are the bedrock of democracy."
The BNP leader apprehended saying: "Failure of democracy in Bangladesh will push this country towards extremism."
Khan told Times of India over phone from Dhaka that his party has announced a peaceful and democratic agitation to mark the first anniversary of last year's controversial elections as a 'Black day for democracy'.
"But the government, using brute force, is trying to thwart our movement for restoration of democracy. Armed goons of the ruling party, under the protection of the police, are attacking our party members and supporters and torching our party offices. Over 2000 of our party members have been arrested, 4 killed and more than 500 injured in attacks on them by police and Awami League goons," Khan told TOI.
Regarding Awami League’s relationship with Indian government Khan said: "The Awami League government has been claiming that the earlier (UPA) government as well as the present (NDA) government is firmly behind it and that's why it feels emboldened to go ahead with its brutal crackdown on our peaceful and democratic movement.”
“India is getting a bad name because of this and we hope that India will try to realise the sentiment of our people and will act accordingly."
Awami League came to power for the second consecutive time through the January 5, 2014 election that was held amid the boycott of the then main opposition BNP. A total of 153 candidates were elected uncontested.