Modi Calls Bangladesh's Sheikh Hasina, Congratulates Her For Poll Win

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on Monday (31) called his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina and congratulated her on her party's victory in the parliamentary elections.

Modi also expressed confidence of partnership between the two countries flourishing under Hasina's "far-sighted" leadership.

Hasina thanked Modi for being the first leader to congratulate her.

"The 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," the ministry of external affairs said in a statement.

"PM Sheikh Hasina thanked prime minister for being the first leader to call her to convey congratulations. She also thanked India for their consistent and generous support which has benefited Bangladesh's development, and appreciated PM's reiteration of this commitment," the statement said.

Hasina’s ruling Bangladesh Awami League party and its allies won 288 of the 299 parliamentary seats contested, surpassing its previous election win when it had won 234 seats.

However, the opposition parties have rejected the results and claimed that the polls were rigged.

“We call upon the Election Commission to declare this farcical election void and demand a fresh election under a neutral government,” Kamal Hossain, president of the Gano Forum opposition party, was quoted as saying by the media.