India hopeful about poll scenario

India, as a 'well-wisher', hopes Bangladesh's “democratic institutions and democratic processes” would be ‘strengthened’ in the run up to the elections, Pankaj Saran, the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka has said.

Replying a question after he called on the new foreign minister, Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, he said he had conveyed this sentiment to the minister during their discussions on a whole range of bilateral issues.

He, however, said the people of Bangladesh who would decide their own future.

“We are confident in the wisdom of the people of Bangladesh,” he said.

He said he congratulated the new minster and briefed him about the progress of the bilateral relations made during this government’s tenure.

“And I assured to him that as a high commissioner I’ll work with him and his team to take this relationship forward,” he said.

The ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP are at loggerheads over the form of the poll-time government.

Amid impasse, the ruling party has installed a small all-party cabinet sans the BNP-led alliance.

The Chief Election Commissioner said he would announce election schedule on Monday at 7.30pm in a televised speech.

India had said in an earlier statement they wanted to see a “free, fair and credible” election in Bangladesh, to be held within Jan 24.

Earlier, the US ambassador Dan Mozena called on the new foreign minister and stressed the holding of a dialogue to facilitate a free, fair and credible elections