In a pivotal moment for South Asia, Tarek Rahman of BNP took oath as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tuesday, administered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin. This transition comes after a period of unrest, drawing reactions from Indian political circles.
Prominent BJP figure Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi voiced cautious optimism. Speaking to media in New Delhi, he urged the new regime to prioritize positive governance. Drawing lessons from the violence against minorities in recent protests, Naqvi stressed the need for inclusive policies to rebuild trust.
Commenting on statements from former interim head Muhammad Yunus, Naqvi deemed them counterproductive. ‘These actions undermine Bangladesh’s interests and its people’s future,’ he observed, calling for responsible leadership.
The discussion veered to cultural sensitivities when Naqvi defended ‘Vande Mataram’ against critics. He linked opposition to historical Muslim League tactics that fueled partition’s horrors. ‘It’s the heartbeat of our nation, not a sectarian chant. No one can revive that poisonous ideology today,’ he declared.
Dismissing Congress’s Mani Shankar Aiyar, Naqvi noted the party’s internal woes spilling into futile national campaigns. On a forward-looking note, he praised India’s AI Summit as a testament to technological adoption. ‘While opposition sees only flaws, India leverages AI for growth. They could use some artificial intelligence to revive their original smarts,’ Naqvi said with a wry smile, underscoring India’s rising global tech stature.