AK Abdul Momen, Bangladesh’s ex-Foreign Minister, isn’t mincing words in Washington: the upcoming February 12 elections are an unbelievable ‘hypocrisy,’ rigged and unreliable. His IANS exclusive demands the United States publicly refuse legitimacy, citing mass party bans and participant blocks that undermine the process entirely.
With major factions—holding 60-70% support and a 12-party coalition—sidelined, Momen sees the polls as a facade for altering the constitution and national ethos. Officials, he charges, aim to cement power via this ‘pre-decided’ event, far from delivering promised stability or economic uplift.
Reality bites hard. No investments flow, domestic or foreign, as 2 million youths enter unemployment annually. Momen foresees catastrophe: ‘This election worsens destruction; the economy plummets further.’ The Yunus interim setup, he claims, has formally stripped powers, outsourcing control to radical Islamists amid rising abuses, graft, and terror.
Labeling the regime ‘most inept and toothless,’ Momen presses America: ‘Stand for democracy—announce non-recognition now.’ He welcomes snubbed observers from the US and UN, viewing it as endorsement of his stance.
Disturbingly, leaders stoke India-bashing to mask failures, fabricating past sellouts despite balanced, interest-driven pacts. Foreign policy veers off-course, forsaking equilibrium with India-US-China for pro-China, anti-India hostility—a South Asian blunder inviting jihadist threats and regional havoc.
‘Bangladesh will go down in history,’ Momen cautioned, as faceless terrorists plot its demise. His urgent call spotlights a nation where sham votes could seal a fate of turmoil, pressing global powers for intervention.