New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was notably absent from an all-party meeting convened by the central government on Tuesday to address the escalating unrest in Bangladesh, which resulted in the resignation and flight of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh expressed frustration at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government for allegedly marginalizing the Arvind Kejriwal-led party on such a crucial issue. Singh stated, "National security matters should not depend on the preferences of the Prime Minister. Every party should be consulted on national security issues." He accused the government of deliberately excluding AAP, a national party with 13 MPs, from the significant meeting.
The all-party meeting, which took place on Tuesday, was briefed by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and attended by key figures including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, DMK leader TR Baalu, and NCP leader Supriya Sule, among others.
During the briefing, Jaishankar expressed gratitude for the unanimous support from the parties present and updated them on the situation in Bangladesh. He detailed the Indian government's efforts to manage the potential security, economic, and diplomatic impacts of the crisis. The Indian government has assured assistance to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who arrived in India on Monday evening and is reportedly considering seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.
Jaishankar also mentioned that India is coordinating with the Bangladesh Army to ensure the safety of over 10,000 Indian students currently in Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Modi had previously chaired a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting to evaluate the situation. Sheikh Hasina, 76, fled Bangladesh amid escalating protests against a government job quota system, which evolved into broader dissent against her 15-year rule. Her departure led to chaos, with protesters storming and looting her official residence in Dhaka, and vandalizing buildings associated with her party, the Awami League, and her family.
The crisis has further destabilized Bangladesh, prompting the President to dissolve Parliament. The military has intervened to address the power vacuum, with assurances from Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman that an interim government will be established soon.
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