West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, affectionately known as ‘Didi,’ extended her congratulations to Bangladesh following the country’s recent general elections. She sent flowers and sweets to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader and Prime Minister-elect Tarique Rahman, celebrating his party’s historic victory.
The gifts were accepted by BNP Media Cell member Atiqur Rahman Ruman at the party’s political office in Gulshan, Dhaka, according to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).
Earlier, Mamata Banerjee conveyed her good wishes to the people of Bangladesh and Tarique Rahman, expressing hope for continued friendly relations between India and Bangladesh. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), she wrote, “My hearty congratulations, Shubhonandan, to all my brothers and sisters in Bangladesh. My advance Ramazan mubarak to all of them. For this great victory, my congratulations to Tarique-Bhai, his party, and all the parties. Pray, you all be well and happy.” She also expressed her desire for cordial relations, especially amid recent tensions following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and violence against minority Hindus.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to attend Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, February 17. However, sources suggest that Modi may not attend due to prior commitments, including a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on the same day.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Rahman, secured a majority in the 350-member Parliament, winning 212 seats. An 11-member coalition led by the Jamaat-e-Islami party is set to serve as the main opposition, with the bloc winning 77 seats, according to official figures from the Electoral Commission.
As Bangladesh embarks on this new political chapter, regional leaders continue to monitor developments closely, emphasizing the importance of maintaining friendly ties.