Bangladesh tense as BJP comes to power in Bengal and Assam !

Bangladeshi journalist Altaf Parvez

Dhaka (Bangladesh) – With the Bharatiya Janata Party coming to power in Bengal and Assam, discussions have begun on what impact this will have on neighbouring Bangladesh. After post-poll surveys in West Bengal indicated that the BJP would come to power, a Member of Parliament in Bangladesh had expressed concern in Parliament that refugees from Bengal might enter Bangladesh, potentially creating a new crisis for the country. Now, Bangladeshi journalist Altaf Parvez has also commented on the issue.

Writing in the Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo, Parvez stated that the BJP did not win a single seat in the 2011 West Bengal Assembly elections; however, within 15 years, it crossed the 200-seat mark. He described this as a historic sign of a “rightward shift” in South Asia’s political environment. The Bengal election results have created unease across the border in Bangladesh. In recent years, no election in India has generated such unrest in Bangladesh. The Bengal elections had never before drawn such attention from the people of Bangladesh.

Why was Bangladesh focused on this ?

According to Parvez, many aspects are being discussed, including the political sidelining of “Bengali identity” in Bengal and the strategies of the BJP and the All India Trinamool Congress. While different claims are being made on this issue, it is true that the election results have created unease in Bangladesh. One reason for this is the aggressive campaigning by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.

Why is Bangladesh concerned ?

During the Bengal elections, Bangladesh was repeatedly mentioned directly or indirectly. Statements made by Amit Shah further increased unease in Bangladesh, as he is a powerful minister in the Union Government. Parvez claims that the impact of the BJP’s victory in Bengal will extend beyond India’s borders (into Bangladesh). Under a detailed review process, there may be attempts to send across the border millions of people whose names have been removed from voter lists. Similar statements have been consistently made by other BJP leaders as well. Now, the BJP is in power in both Delhi and Bengal.

‘If infiltrators are expelled, tensions may arise in bilateral relations !’

Parvez claims that attempts to send people across the border could create tension between India and Bangladesh. The improvement seen in relations between the two countries in recent weeks could face difficulties again. This situation may give rise to several complex diplomatic and humanitarian issues. Although large-scale actions may not occur, such a possibility cannot be ruled out.

According to Parvez, as the BJP has become stronger in border states like Assam and Bengal, Bangladesh will certainly face long-term pressure. If such statements continue from Indian leaders even after the elections, political developments around this issue may intensify in Bangladesh in the coming period.