“Bangladesh Polls Only Credible if All Parties Are Allowed, Warns Former Envoy”

Bangladesh Election in Crisis: Ex-Envoy Veena Sikri Warns of Rigged Polls.

Bangladesh is facing one of its most volatile political moments in decades, with the Awami League barred from contesting the upcoming elections. The move has left streets tense, institutions weakened, and uncertainty rippling across society.

Former Indian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Veena Sikri, told CNN- that the polls cannot be considered credible unless all political parties are allowed to participate. She highlighted key concerns:

• Why the upcoming elections already appear rigged.
• How minority communities in Dhaka are navigating the unrest.
• The growing influence of the Bangladesh Army in political affairs.
• The subtle role of US involvement behind the ongoing agitation.

With former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India, Sikri also noted that her presence could reshape the future of India-Bangladesh relations.