Govt must focus fully on elections, avoiding controversy: M Humayun Kabir

Bangla Press Desk:  Former Bangladeshi diplomat M Humayun Kabir has said that, given the current political and diplomatic realities between Bangladesh and India, the government should avoid unnecessary controversies and concentrate fully on the upcoming national election.

In his view, organising the election is now the country’s most urgent task and should be treated as the foremost national responsibility.

M Humayun Kabir made the remarks in an interview with the media on Monday.

Responding to a question, he said it would have been better if the situation surrounding Mustafizur Rahman in the Indian Premier League (IPL) had not arisen.

“However, what has happened has happened. Now it is time to move forward,” he said. “There is a crucial election ahead, and focusing on that is the most important priority.”

He added that there was no need to divert attention to other issues at this time.

Referring to the discussion generated around the IPL, he noted that there had been public excitement and expectations over the matter, but stressed that there was no need to allow it to adversely affect bilateral relations. He said the Bangladesh government had already responded and conveyed its position to India.

“There is no point in making further moves over this now. Let us see what they (India) do,” he added.

On Bangladesh–India relations, M Humayun Kabir said the relationship would never deteriorate to the level of India–Pakistan ties, as the nature of the relationship and the mutual needs of the two countries are fundamentally different. He therefore expressed confidence that Bangladesh–India relations would not reach such a low point.

BP/SP