Sheikh Hasina calls BNP’s win a ‘disgraceful chapter in Bangladesh’s history’| India News

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Bangladesh polls live updates: A statement by the former PM of Bangladesh, Sheikha Hasina states, “On 12 February, the nation witnessed a pre-planned election of deception and farce – one that will be recorded as a disgraceful chapter in Bangladesh’s democratic history”.

“This was not an election of public will; it was an industrial-scale administrative exercise in manipulating numbers. The total number of registered voters in this election was 127,711,793. Voting began at 7:30 a.m. and continued until 4:30 p.m,” it said.

“Serious irregularities were observed, both in the conduct of voting and in the turnout percentages released in stages by the Election Commission, many of which appeared inconsistent and unrealistic. According to the Commission’s first briefing, by 11:00 a.m.—the first 3 hours and 30 minutes—14.96% of votes had been cast, equivalent to 19,105,684 ballots. That would mean an average of 90,979 votes per minute…”

Bangladesh polls live updates: “On behalf of the Indian National Congress, I congratulate Mr. Tarique Rahman and the BNP for winning the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. India and Bangladesh share deep-rooted bonds of history, language, culture, and multitude of other commonalities. A democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh would always be supported by all Indians for the stability and peace of our region,” Mallikarjun Kharge shared on X.

Bangladesh polls live updates: On the Bangladesh elections, PDP MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi saod, “I would like to congratulate the people of Bangladesh for voting more than 50%, deciding their future. My expectation from the government that is now designated there, which is about to be formed, is that it will work together with other countries, be it India, Pakistan, or other neighbouring countries, to combat poverty, the climate crisis, and unemployment. I would also like to tell the new government that all the citizens living in your country, whether they are Hindus, Muslims, Christians, or any other community, must ensure their safety, security, and dignity.”

Bangladesh polls live updates: : Former High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Veena Sikri praised the recent election results in Bangladesh as a major win for democratic values.

“The election results of last night represent a great victory for the people of Bangladesh,” she noted. “I think that the victory of Tariq Rehman is a victory for democracy because Jamaat-e-Islami had been campaigning very strongly, using financial exhortation and using religious exhortation. They were really with the support of the Western powers and the support of Pakistan. They were really all set to form a government on their own,” she said.

Bangladesh polls live updates: On Bangladesh elections, former foreign secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla says, “…The people of Bangladesh have voted for a party that represents political interests. It is a pro-liberation party. That means it believes in the spirit of 1971, as opposed to Jamaat-e-Islami, which was opposed to the liberation struggle of Bangladesh in 1971. The head of the BNP, Tarique Rahman, has made some positive statements about his intention to maintain good relations with India, to ensure that minorities are protected in his country, and that cooperation with Bangladesh’s most immediate and largest neighbor would be mutually beneficial to both sides. This is all good news…” (ANI)

Bangladesh polls live updates: Seven women candidates, six of whom belong to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have been elected to parliament in the 13th national elections. BNP won a majority of more than two-third seats in the parliamentary polls conducted on Thursday.

A total of 2028 candidates from 50 political parties and independents, contested in 299 seats across Bangladesh, including 83 women. Among the elected women candidates, six are from BNP, while one woman has been elected as an independent candidate from Brahmanbaria-2, Dhaka Tribune reported, citing unofficial tallies. She was previously expelled from BNP. Click here to see list.

Bangladesh polls live updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Tarique Rahman on Friday who is poised to become the new Bangladesh Prime Minister after his party BNP sweeped the polls held on Thursday, February 12.

Modi said that he was “delighted” to speak with Tarique Rahman.

“I congratulated him on the remarkable victory in the Bangladesh elections. I conveyed my best wishes and support in his endeavour to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh,” Modi wrote on X.

“As two close neighbours with deep-rooted historical and cultural ties, I reaffirmed India’s continued commitment to the peace, progress, and prosperity of both our peoples,” he added.

Bangladesh polls live updates: While reacting to the Bangladesh election results, Veena Sikri, former High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, said, “The election results of last night represent a great victory for the people of Bangladesh. I think that the victory of Tarique Rahman is a victory for democracy because Jamaat-e-Islami had been campaigning very strongly, using financial exhortation, using religious exhortation… They were really with the support of the Western powers and the support of Pakistan. They were really all set to form a government on their own. The way in which the people of Bangladesh have shown that they are religious, but they are not in favour of Islamic radicalisation, Islamic extremism, and they will not support any fundamentalist party. This is the first message from the election results… I am sure India will have very good relations with the BNP, and it will be very good for the subcontinent, for South Asia, and for India’s neighbourhood-first foreign policy,” reported ANI

Bangladesh polls live updates: Tarique Rahman-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party marked a landslide victory in Bangladesh general polls held on Thursday, February 12. The party has returned to power after 20 years with 213 seats out of 299 on which polls were held.

Bangladesh polls live updates: China has extended congratulations to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on its unofficial election victory.

The Chinese embassy in Dhaka said, “Congratulations to the people of Bangladesh on the smooth and successful 13th National Parliamentary Election and to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party for taking the lead in the election,” reported Al Jazeera.

The embassy further said, “We look forward to working together with the new government of Bangladesh and writing new chapters of China-Bangladesh relations,” the report added.

Bangladesh polls live updates: Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, adviser to BNP chairman Tarique Rahman, told news agency PTI, “It was a historic election in cooperation with the Election Commission, the Interim government, political parties and the main factor, the general people of the country.”

“We have successfully built a bridge between these four components… The results have come out and the people of Bangladesh are very glad to express their choice. Accordingly, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has got the absolute majority,” he said.

Pointing out that the opposition, under the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami, has also got a good number of seats, Alal said, “In the Parliament, the absolute majority party BNP and the strong opposition Jamaat-e-Islami leadership… this will be a good phenomenon… a very good pair for the next democratic path in Bangladesh,” he added.

Bangladesh polls live updates: Jamaat-e-Islami Shafiqur Rahman secured a seat in Dhaka and is poised to become the opposition leader in Parliament in Bangladesh after his party and allies won 76 seats.

Bangladesh polls live updates: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party congratulated its PM face Tarique Rahman as the party has bagged 213 seats out of the 299 where elections were held

“Congratulations Leader! A clear mandate from the people. 213 Seats for Bangladesh Nationalist Party,” the party said in a post on X.

Bangladesh polls live updates: While reacting to the results of Bangladesh polls, counting for which is still underway, Jamaat-e-Islami said in a statement, “We express our sincere gratitude to you for casting your votes in large numbers throughout the day in such a positive and peaceful atmosphere.”

“However, we are not satisfied with the process surrounding the election results. From candidates of the 11-party alliance narrowly and suspiciously losing in various constituencies, to repeated inconsistencies and fabrications in unofficial result announcements, the Election Commission’s reluctance to publish voter turnout percentages, and indications that a section of the administration leaned towards a major party – all of this undoubtedly raises serious questions about the integrity of the results process,” the party added.

“Therefore, we urge everyone to remain patient and await the official programme of the 11-party alliance. Our struggle for justice in pursuit of a humane Bangladesh will continue, Insha’Allah.”

Bangladesh polls live updates: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee congratulated Tarique Rahman on his big win in Bangladesh and referred to him as ‘bhai’ (brother) in her congratulatory post.

She also extended advance Ramazan wishes to the people of Bangladesh.

“My hearty congratulations, shubhonandan, to all my brothers and sisters, all the people, in Bangladesh. My advance Ramazan mubarak to all of them,” she wrote in a post on X.

“For this great victory, my congratulations to my Tarique-Bhai, his party, and all the parties. Pray, you all be well and happy. Wish that our relations with Bangladesh be always cordial,” she added.

Bangladesh polls live updates: Following the tribunal court’s verdict for Sheikh Hasina last year, India stated that it had noted the verdict of death sentence for her, but added later that the decision lies in the hands of the former prime minister.

Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2025, external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar stated that Hasina came to Delhi “under certain circumstances.”

“And, you know, I think that circumstance clearly sort of is a factor in what happens to her. But again, that is something which she has to make up her mind,” Jaishankar said.

Bangladesh polls live updates: Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus, on the day of polling, urged all sides to remain calm and said, “we may have differences of opinion, but we must remain united in the greater national interest.”

After casting his vote, Yunus said the country had “ended the nightmare and begun a new dream”, reported news agency AFP.

Bangladesh polls live updates: When Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh two months ago — just in time to lead his mother’s party that has now won the national election — Zebu took a lot of the attention. His pet cat, a fluffy Siberian, has been all the rage online, with Facebook and Instagram pages dedicated to her.

It was only apt then, that the FB page ‘@ZebuTheCat’ sent out a special message to him after Rahman-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) big election win — a “congratulations hooman” with an illustration calling Rahman “jantar pradhanmantri”, Bangla for “Prime Minister of the People”.

A comment under the post by a self-styled “official” page immediately called for “Ministry of cat – under Zebu!” Read more.

Bangladesh polls live updates: A day ahead of the voting in Bangladesh, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Zeba Amina Khan spoke about the relations between India and the country.

“We are neighbors, we are friends, and we should remain friends. We share a very large border. What is a security risk for India is also a security risk for us. So, we should look after each other. There are some minor issues along our border areas, and these should be resolved mutually and jointly so that we can live in harmony. Why would we have anything against India? We don’t. India should work with the people of Bangladesh. It is not about the BJP or any political party; it is about what the people of Bangladesh want. If India understands that, then we can truly be the best of friends. I have no problems with India,” she told news agency PTI.

Bangladesh polls LIVE: With a tribunal court sentencing Sheikh Hasina to death in November 2025, political parties in Bangladesh called on India to return the Awami League leader.

In an official statement, the Bangladesh foreign ministry urged New Delhi to return Hasina, adding that providing “refuge to these individuals, who have been convicted of crimes against humanity, by any other country would be a highly unfriendly act and a disregard for justice.”

Bangladeshi authorities have also formally moved to seek Hasina’s return under the India–Bangladesh extradition framework. Adding to this, BNP leaders have also repeatedly called on Delhi to hand her over. Click here to read more.

Bangladesh polls LIVE: BNP’s polls coordination committee chief Nazrul Islam Khan, while reacting to PM Modi’s congratulatory message for BNP chief Tarique Rahman, said, “We hope that the relationship between two neighbouring countries and the people of these two countries will be strengthened. We thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for congratulating our leader, Tarique Rahman. It’s great that a democratic country is supposed to recognise the verdict of the people.”

Bangladesh polls LIVE: BNP’s manifesto ahead of the polls softened tone and called for ‘collective progress’. It called for building relations with neighbouring countries based on equality, mutual respect and shared development goals.

BNP chief Tarique Rahman, who is poised to become Bangladesh’s PM, said ahead of the polls that the party would pursue relations with neighbours for “collective progress,” while firmly safeguarding Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty.

Bangladesh polls LIVE: On the Bangladesh elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “I congratulate him (Tarique Rahman). I hope that he, given the huge responsibility Bangladesh has placed on him, a responsibility he received after so many protests, and the economy has been destroyed, will restore democracy and the India-Bangladesh relationship… I hope that, once democracy is restored, our long-standing relationship will regain momentum and that they will maintain some distance from negative influences in this region, especially from Pakistan.” (ANI)

Bangladesh polls LIVE: BNP said in a statement that the party will not be holding any rallies or meetings to celebrate its victory and return to power in Bangladesh after 20 years, but will instead hold a prayer meet.

BNP asked its supporters for ‘forgiveness and good wishes’ for the late PM Khalida Zia, who passed away last year in December, reported Al Jazeera.