BJP leader lauds PM Sheikh Hasina for her dynamic leadership

"Stability has been established in Bangladesh due to the dynamic and charismatic leadership of the Premier...the development that is taking place in the country under her stewardship is visible and overwhelming," he said.

The BJP leader came up with the appreciation when he paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at her official Ganobhaban residence here on Saturday afternoon.

After the meeting, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

While talking about the issue of democracy in Bangladesh, Madhab said the political parties here would have to stay on the track of the "democratic process" like participation in the elections to further strengthen democracy.

The BJP Secretary General thanked the Bangladesh government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for taking different steps to ensure security of the minority community.

Madhab referred to his visit to Dhakeswari National Temple in Dhaka and said: "When I visited the temple today I realized how much confidence the minority community is keeping in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and how they appreciate her."

At the meeting, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed satisfaction over the existing friendly relations between the two countries and said that Bangladesh attaches highest importance to its relations with India.

Appreciating ratification of the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) by the Indian Parliament, she said all political parties of India unanimously passed the bill with the same spirit like they supported Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971.

During the time, Sheikh Hasina thanked the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for implementation of the LBA.

Pointing about the democratic process in both countries, the Prime Minister said India has been enjoying uninterrupted democracy, while Bangladesh's democracy suffered jolt several times.

Referring to the upcoming Union Parishad polls, she said democracy in Bangladesh has now been continuing and election of the lowest tier of local government body like "Panchayet" in India is going to be held from March 22.

Pointing to election boycott of the BNP in the past, Sheikh Hasina said political parties must remain in the democratic process.

In this connection, she mentioned that the nation has a bitter experience on how military rulers usurped state power by force and formed political parties.

The Prime Minister also referred to a verdict of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh in which capturing of the (state) power by military dictators was declared illegal.

She said Awami League is a party that strives to strengthen democratic and pluralistic values in the country and it has never compromised its position against attempts by the forces to radicalise the country.

PM's International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, Media Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad and Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla were present at the meeting, among others.