The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Vote for Hasina

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Thursday, Jan 01, 2009
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Vote for Hasina

Democracy has returned to a nation, often caught in political wilderness and religious fanaticism. The newly elected leader, Sheikh Hasina, should build on this opportunity to solve some of Bangladesh’s immediate problems.

Inamdar Ramchandra,

Bangalore

The coming to power of Ms Hasina’s secular dispensation augurs well for the country’s relations with the world’s largest democracy, India. On our part, we should engage with the new regime through well calculated diplomacy. India should also help its eastern neighbour institutionalise democracy in letter and in spirit. India should render all possible help for the emergence of a stable Bangladesh. It would be of immense significance for its Look East Policy.

Pranav Mahajan,

Jammu

The people of Bangladesh have reasserted their faith in democracy. The election results reflect their intolerance of mediocrity and show an innate thirst for competence. Also in evidence are the realities that coalition politics is coming to stay in Bangladesh and that the Awami League has greater responsibilities to shoulder. Ms Hasina should realise that Bangladesh has overwhelmingly voted for a change from the old ways.

S.R. Badrinarayanan,

Chennai

The thumping victory of the Awami League and the Grand Alliance is noteworthy. Whenever free and fair elections were held in the subcontinent in the recent past, voters strongly disapproved of extremist elements and political parties courting extremist elements. One witnessed this trend earlier this year in Pakistan and, now in Jammu and Kashmir. Such encouragement and support from the electorate to the democratic forces would go a long way in isolating all kinds of extremism, especially religious extremism, in the region.

P. Prasand Thampy,

Thiruvalla

The stupendous victory of Ms Hasina is welcome news especially for India with which she wanted to have friendly relations. Democracy in Bangladesh was till now a pawn in the hands of the military regime.

R Sekar,

Visakhapatnam

The message of Bangladesh voters is loud and clear: their aversion to fundamentalism. A stable and democratic Bangladesh where secular forces are at the helm of affairs brings fresh hopes to India too at the dawn of the new year.

D.V.G. Sankararao,

Nellimarla

Bangladesh has the distinction of being one of the poorest countries, yet its people have exercised their franchise dutifully. The majority gained by the Awami League under the leadership of Ms Hasina heralds a new era for the poverty and unrest-stricken Bangladesh.

Jetling Yellosa,

Nizamabad

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