Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday thanked India for supporting India in the Liberation War against Pakistan in 1971 and for providing “protection” to his family in 1975 when many of his family members were killed in 1975.
A Bangladeshi poll worker smears indelible ink on Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's finger after she arrived in Dhaka to cast her vote on Sunday. (AP) {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{ /userSubscribed}}
Sheikh Hasina's message to India comes as Bangladeshis begin voting in general elections, with the prime minister expected to win a fourth consecutive term in office after the main opposition party refused to take part, raising questions about the legitimacy of the elections raises.
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“You're welcome. We are very lucky…India is our trustworthy friend. During our liberation war in 1971, they supported us… After 1975, when we lost our entire family… they gave us protection. So our I wish the Indian people all the best,” Hasina told reporters. Live updates on Bangladesh general elections
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The war between India and Pakistan began against the backdrop of tensions between Pakistan (then also known as West Pakistan) and Bengali-majority East Pakistan, which was then closer to India. On March 25, 1971, the Pakistan Army, led by Lieutenant General Tikka Khan, who later became Pakistan's first COAS, launched Operation Searchlight to crush the insurgency in East Pakistan. This operation reportedly resulted in massive human rights violations by the Pakistani army.
While the Indian Air Force (IAF) responded with initial retaliatory strikes that same night, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered a “full-scale” invasion of Pakistan. This officially began the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The war ended in less than two weeks on December 16, 1971, when the Chief of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army, Lt. General J.S. Aurora, was appointed as the Chief of the Eastern Command of the Pakistan Army, Lt. General AAK Niazi, signs the instrument of surrender. East Pakistan became Bangladesh, and Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became its first president in January 1972 and its second prime minister in 1974. Mujib, who was assassinated in 1975, is the father of Sheikh Hasina.
Elections in Bangladesh
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Polls in Bangladesh opened at 8 a.m. local time after a month-long campaign marked by daily street protests, the imprisonment of Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus and viral videos of ruling party leaders urging voters to cast their ballots or risk losing state benefits.
With most of Hasina's rivals behind bars, voter turnout is expected to fall, but this will have no impact on the 76-year-old politician's re-election. Hasina has led one of the world's fastest-growing economies, lifting millions of people out of poverty as part of her development agenda – achievements that are often overshadowed by her embrace of authoritarianism.
Boycotts
Election officials will begin counting ballots after polls close at 4 p.m. Results are expected late Sunday or early Monday. Around 120 million people are eligible to vote for 300 of the 350 seats in parliament.
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In recent weeks, prominent leaders of Hasina's Awami League party have been shown in video clips on social media telling voters that they risk losing their benefits if they do not take part in the elections. The election commission sent a notice to at least one of the politicians.
The main Bangladesh Nationalist Party boycotted the nationwide vote in response to Hasina's refusal to step down and allow an interim government to take over. The dispute has led to street battles between the opposition group, security forces and Awami League supporters.
(With contributions from agencies)
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