Bangladesh Awami League bagged a landslide victory in Bangladesh’s General Elections. The party leader, Sheikh Hasina will now begin her 3th term as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh
According to the Bangladesh Election Commission, Bangladesh Awami League-led coalition won by a thundering majority in the Bangladesh General Elections held on December 30, 2018. The landslide victory sealed in a third term for Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The ruling party led alliance won 287 of the 298 seats in Bangladesh’s 300-member Parliament. While the opposing Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) managed to bag only 6 seats, the party previously boycotted polls in 2014. This was BNP’s first election without its leader Khaleda Zia, who was jailed early in 2018 under corruption charges.
The Awami league has assured increase in minimum wage for Bangladesh’s textile industry workers. The industry contributes over 80% to Bangladesh’s total exports, generating over $30 billion for the country. Advisor to the Awami League, Sajeeb Wazed asserted that the rise in wages may not be immediate but “it will be raised without a doubt.” He did, however, mention that the party does not wish to “stay stuck on the garment sector”.
On election day, Sajeeb Wazed stated that the next government would work towards bringing up the economic growth rate to 10% as compared to the current 7.8%. He further added that Bangladesh was open to investment “from anyone and everyone”.
Soon after the election results were announced, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made congratulatory call to PM Sheikh Hasina. The Indian External Affairs’ Ministry and the Indian PM both asserted that the Indo-Bangladesh bilateral ties were likely to strengthen further under Sheikh Hasina’s “far-sighted” governance.
The Indian PM also “reiterated the priority India attaches to Bangladesh as a neighbour, a close partner for regional development, security and cooperation, and a central pillar in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy”, said the MEA.
Sheikh Hasina thanked the Indian Prime Minister “for being the first leader to call her to convey congratulations.” Reportedly, she also appreciated India’s support and efforts for Bangladesh’s development.