Bangladesh crisis: As Dhaka discusses interim govt formation, India keeps close watch for future relations

Even as Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman held a meeting with political leaders to resolve the country's crisis, all eyes were on the composition of the interim government as presence of radical elements in the dispensation may impact the secular character of Bangladesh and Indian interests there.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party leaders Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir and Mirza Abbas, Jatiya Party leaders GM Quader, Mujibul Chunnu and Anisul Islam Mahmud, Hefazat-e-Islam leader Mawlana Mumunul Haque, Dhaka University law department professor Asif Nazrul, Sanghati Andolon leader Zunaid Saki, Hefazat- e-Majlish leader Mufti Syed Mohammad Fazlul Karim, Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Shafiqul Islam Masud and Hamidur Rahman Azad were part of the meeting.

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There are reports that eminent jurists, including a former chief justice, a former UN representative and economist, a former governor of the nation's central bank and a Dhaka University professor may be part of the interim government. General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff (2012-2015) and Maj Gen Golam Helal Morshed Khan (rtd), chairman of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad could also be part of the interim government. In the meeting, a decision was taken to formulate the process and outline of forming an interim government before calling on the President. The tenure of the interim government and its mandate is not yet clear. The composition of the interim government is also being negotiated.

Delhi is keeping a watch on the formation of the interim administration that may have any impact on Indian interests and various India-funded projects in Bangladesh. Sources said drawing a parallel between this interim government and the one between 2007-08 would not be prudent at this stage.

After the meeting in a press briefing, the Army chief said justice will be ensured for all the killings and injustice. "Keep trust in the Army," he said, calling upon all the protesters to shun the path of violence. At the same time, Gen Zaman said he will sit with the representatives of students and teachers soon, adding that the situation will return to normalcy soon.

The Army chief sought cooperation from people of all classes and professions, including students, irrespective of party affiliations and opinions to this end. However, sources said the Army chief needs to take strict action against radicals.