Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed hope that her personal circumstances would not come in the way of bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh, highlighting the longstanding historical ties and shared strategic interests between the two countries.

Speaking exclusively to media, Hasina said that ties between the two countries should not be held hostage to political differences surrounding any individual.

“I do not think it would be appropriate for me to comment on the decisions of the Indian government. India is a sovereign country. It has its own laws and procedures, and its government will decide accordingly. But I certainly hope my personal situation will not become an obstacle to relations between Bangladesh and India. Our relations go back to the Liberation War of 1971. We share a long border, a common history, and important interests in trade, energy, connectivity and security. These relations are far too important to be held hostage to political disagreements involving any individual,” the former PM stated.

Hasina said that both the former Muhammad Yunus-led interim government and the ruling BNP administration had repeatedly called for her return to Bangladesh.

She further questioned why her decision to return voluntarily should now invite objections.

“Both the Yunus administration and the present government have repeatedly demanded my return to Bangladesh. Now, I have decided to return myself. So, why should there be any objection?” the former PM told media in a rare audio interview.

When asked about preserving India-Bangladesh ties amid Dhaka’s attempts to link bilateral relations to her extradition, Hasina said she did not think it would be appropriate for her to comment on India’s diplomatic policy or suggest what Prime Minister Narendra Modi should do.

“I do not think it would be appropriate for me to comment on India’s diplomatic policy or suggest what Prime Minister Modi should do. The Awami League has always believed in maintaining good relations with our neighbours while protecting Bangladesh’s sovereignty and national interests. During our time, we strengthened relations with India while also working closely with China, Japan, the United States and other countries,” she mentioned.

Hasina emphasised that lasting bilateral cooperation between New Delhi and Dhaka required a representative government in Bangladesh with democratic legitimacy and broad public support, rather than one that excluded significant sections of the population from the political process.

“I also believe that lasting relations between Bangladesh and India require democratic legitimacy and public confidence. A genuinely representative government provides a stronger foundation for cooperation than one that excludes a large section of its own people from political life,” she noted.

Emphasising that a peaceful, democratic and stable Bangladesh was in India’s interest, just as a friendly and cooperative India benefited Bangladesh, Hasina said that the two countries should preserve the relationship built during her tenure.

“That is the relationship we worked to build, and I believe it should be preserved. Neighbouring countries may have disagreements, and Bangladesh may have differences with India. But those differences should be resolved through dialogue and mutual respect, not through hostility for political advantage,” she told media.

Referring to issues such as the land boundary, Ganges water-sharing and maritime boundaries, Hasina said that her government had demonstrated during its tenure that differences could be resolved through dialogue.

“Our foreign policy has always been based on friendship towards all and malice towards none. This was the principle articulated by the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and we have followed it,” the former PM stated.

Polling for elections to 23 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Andhra Pradesh will be held on November 26, the State Election Commission announced on Thursday.

The poll panel issued notification for elections to four Municipal Corporations and 19 Municipalities/Nagar Panchayats.

Elections to 100 ULBs were held on November 1 and their results have also been declared.

Elections for the remaining 23 ULBs could not be conducted due to court cases.

State Election Commissioner, Anil Chandra Punetha, said polling for the posts of Mayors and Chairpersons and Corporators and Ward Members of the ULBs will be held on November 26.

Re-polling, if any, will be conducted on November 27 while counting of votes will be taken up on November 27.

Elections will be held for the Mayors and Corporators of Srikakulam, Kakinada, Rajamahendravaram and Mangaiagiri-Tadepalli Municipal Corporations and chairpersons and ward members of 19 Municipalities/Nagar Panchayats.

The ULBs have a total of 1,009 wards including 269 in the four Municipal Corporations.

He said November 16 will be the last date of receipt of nominations while scrutiny will be taken up the next day. November 19 will be the last date for withdrawal of nominations.

These ULBs have a total of 24,98,152 voters. Polling will be conducted at a total of 2,801 polling centres.

The SEC directed District Collectors and Superintendents of Police to work in coordination to ensure that the local body elections across the state are conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner, without any untoward incidents.

He emphasised that the utmost priority must be given to maintaining law and order, ensuring robust police deployment, and implementing comprehensive security arrangements.

Speaking during a video conference, Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha noted that in the past, violent incidents had occurred in certain sensitive districts during local body elections. He highlighted that, following interventions by the Supreme Court and the implementation of stringent security measures, there has been a significant positive shift in how these elections are conducted.

He further acknowledged that the recent MPTC and ZPTC elections, as well as the elections for Urban Local Bodies, were successfully managed through the collective efforts of the administrative and police machinery.

It was stated that the election process for the MPTC and ZPTC elections, as well as the first phase of elections for 100 ULBs, has already been completed. It was announced that the subsequent elections for MPP Presidents will be held on November 19, and for ZPP Chairpersons on November 20.

The Commissioner announced that Gram Panchayat elections in the state will be held in three phases. Notifications for the first, second, and third phases will be issued on November 13, November 16, and November 19, respectively.

The BJP on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi over her memoir, alleging that the book appears to be less of an autobiography and more of an attempt to cover up the “Himalayan mistakes and misdeeds” of the Gandhi family.

Speaking to media, BJP MP Tarun Chugh said, “Sonia Gandhi’s book appears to be less of an autobiography and more of an attempt to cover up the Himalayan mistakes and misdeeds of the Gandhi family. It seems that Maino’s Manohar Kahaniyan’, written by a ghostwriter, has been presented before the country. By describing the Emergency as merely a mistake, the book has covered up the arrest of lakhs of people, press censorship, the violation of the Constitution, the suppression of democracy and the transformation of the country into a prison. It is silent on the military operation at Sri Harmandir Sahib in 1984, the wounds of which are still fresh.”

Meanwhile, BJP Keralam President Rajeev Chandrasekhar criticised Sonia Gandhi over references in her book to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, accusing her of attempting to shift responsibility for the atrocities.

Speaking about the memoir, Chandrasekhar said, “I have not read the book, but I have read a few excerpts on social media. She is trying to blame the Indian Army and General Vaidya for the heinous crimes committed against Sikhs in 1984. Now, Sonia Gandhi wants to whitewash history and give it a new colour. Indians will never fall for this or forget the crimes committed by the Congress party, particularly the 1984 genocide. She should have called the book ‘whitewashing’ rather than whatever else she has called it.”

BJP leader Manmeet Singh also questioned the omissions in Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, alleging that it failed to mention several controversies and scams associated with the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

He said, “Sonia Gandhi calls herself the Super PM. She used Manmohan Singh as a front. Although Manmohan Singh held the post of Prime Minister, everything in the party and the country was run according to Sonia Gandhi’s wishes. We want to ask Sonia Gandhi why she has mentioned the good work she did in her book, ‘The Belonging’, but forgot to mention the scams. She has not mentioned the National Herald, Bofors or 2G scams, or the scams that took place in the country during the UPA government. She should also tell the public about these scams and explain why she is no longer in power…”

BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also questioned the nature of the memoir, saying it appeared to be more of a political commentary than a personal account.

“Her book appears to be more of a political satire than a personal memoir. When a personal memoir appears to be political satire, and an individual’s account raises political controversies and questions, it naturally gives rise to several questions…” he said.

Meanwhile, reacting to the controversy surrounding the portrayal of former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Sonia Gandhi’s book, Janata Dal (United) National Spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan said it reflected the Congress leadership’s frustration.

Ranjan said, “In fact, this reflects the Congress leaders’ frustration over the objectionable portrayal of Nitish Kumar in Sonia Gandhi’s book. Sonia Gandhi suggested that Nitish Kumar was looking for excuses to leave the INDIA bloc and that his proximity to the BJP was the reason behind his decision.”