The BNP has criticised the statement of Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy regarding the country’s 12th parliamentary election which was boycotted by the opposition party.
In a statement sent to mass media on Friday, the BNP said it has come to the party’s attention that the Ambassador of Russia in Dhaka has termed the statement of the BNP as “misleading and false” about Russia's role in the elections.
“He (the Russian envoy) also claimed that the people of Bangladesh elected the government in the election and 41.8% of the people voted, most of whom voted for the Awami League. His unwanted, unintended and pro-Awami speech has hurt the democratic sentiments of the people of Bangladesh,” said the BNP.

The written statement signed by the BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also mentioned that it is clear that the “farcical dummy” election held on 7 January
 was not intended to enfranchise or reflect the aspirations of the people. Rather, it was a violent fraud in the name of elections.
The opposition party said in fact, since the one-sided election held on 7 January was not free, fair and impartial, holding a new and meaningful election is the popular demand of the people of Bangladesh now.
The statement also mentioned that to achieve that universal goal, the BNP has been campaigning to restore the people's spoiled voting rights through simultaneous movements with all pro-democracy political parties. The spontaneous support of the people is fueling this ongoing peaceful and non-violent movement to demand an inclusive and acceptable election of international standards under a non-partisan government and impartial administration.

“In this reality, the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh and the democratic world are identical. That common goal is to ensure democracy, good governance, human rights and prosperity in Bangladesh through an elected and accountable government. It is the hope of the freedom-seeking people of the country, that Russia, India, China, or any other country will not unduly support the anti-people misrule of the fascist Sheikh Hasina government against the people’s will,” the BNP said.
It further said Bangladesh and Russia have long established cordial relations based on trade, commerce, knowledge and other bilateral interests.
“The BNP believes that long-term diplomatic success lies in building bridges of friendship between the people of the two countries. The BNP therefore calls on Russia to show due respect to the aspirations and interests of the people of Bangladesh, including democratic values,” the statement added.