Subramanian Swamy asks India to be more proactive for free, fair Bangla poll

NEW DELHI: Expressing concern over the "deteriorating" law and order situation in Bangladesh, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy today asked the Centre to take a more pro-active role in ensuring free and fair elections in the neighbouring country.

"While India cannot interfere in the internal affairs of Bangladesh, nevertheless having been the country which facilitated the creation of Bangladesh and being directly connected with the fallout of any law and order in that country, Indian government is duty-bound to use its good offices, if necessary with the help of other countries, to see that the elections in Bangladesh are free and fair," he said in a statement here.

Swamy said Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has to go the extra mile to ensure that not only elections are held but are seen to be held in a free and fair manner.

He said the public order situation in Bangladesh is deteriorating, causing concern in India of its ill effects in an already sensitive border areas of Assam and Bengal.

"Therefore, it is important for the government of India to take a more pro-active interest to ensure that a peaceful democratic transition takes place in Bangladesh following elections for Parliament in early 2014," Swamy said.