Jamaat cannot come to power if polls are fair: Harsh Vardhan Shringla

Former Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh and current Rajya Sabha member Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will not be able to come to state power if the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election is held in a free, fair and neutral manner. He also expressed doubts over whether an election would take place in Bangladesh at all on February 12.

Responding to journalists’ questions in Darjeeling, West Bengal, on Friday, January 23, the former Indian foreign secretary said Jamaat has never won a free and fair election and will not be able to do so in the future.

“Jamaat has never secured more than five to seven percent of the vote in the past. They do not have that level of public support,” Shringla said.

He added that Jamaat could only come to power if there were irregularities in the election. “Many people are projecting Jamaat as being ahead in the race. Still, they can only come to power if there is manipulation. Otherwise, it is impossible,” he said.

Earlier, Shringla said India wants a free, fair and inclusive election in Bangladesh, with the participation of all political parties, but he does not see such a situation at present.

“You have seen India’s statement. We want a free, fair and inclusive election in Bangladesh. But I have not seen that environment. I do not even know whether the election will take place. There are security concerns. Even if it happens, the conditions under which it will be held remain uncertain. There are many uncertainties and questions,” he said.

Shringla also claimed that a large number of undocumented entrants from Bangladesh are entering West Bengal and are being allowed for political gains, creating a dangerous situation for India’s security and future development.

He further said Bangladeshis should not come to India to impose decisions, calling it a wrong decision by Bangladesh that would have negative impacts in the future, including in sports and other sectors, leaving the country behind.