Republican candidate Donald Trump’s Diwali message, just four days before the crucial November 5 presidential elections in USA, has enormous significance, which goes beyond the possible impact on Hindu-Americans voters on the polling day. The content of the message will have big impact on Bangladesh politics in the event of a Trump victory.
This message was the first comprehensive reaction by any political leader of the USA on the situation in Bangladesh after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August, 5 and her fleeing to India the same day. So far, the Biden government is dealing favourably with the interim government in Bangladesh headed by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, a personal friend of the Clintons, and no US Democratic Party leader has spoken against the attacks on the Hindu minorities in the country since August 5. The Hindus constitute eight per cent of the current population of Bangladesh.
The Republican candidate has made it clear that he has no confidence in the interim government and the country is in chaos. Charging the Biden administration for being silent spectators to the killing of minorities, Trump mentions ‘it would have never happened on [his] watch’.
Trump added: “We will also protect Hindu-Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi.” This part is meant for the Hindu voters, but his Bangladesh part gives a clear signal about what awaits the fate of the Dr. Yunus regime in Bangladesh, if he wins.
Let us look at the latest political scenario in Bangladesh. The interim government has decided to disallow Awami League from political activities, though the BNP is not agreeable to this decision. BNP wants a crippled Awami League, to participate in the elections so that the party can claim legitimacy after coming to power in the new national elections.
Then the Jatiyo Party, an important political party after BNP, has been attacked and its central office was burnt on Wednesday, October 30 by the anti-quota students body, and this was done openly by giving a call through its Facebook page. There was no police protection. The student members of the interim government supported it. As of now, there is no final decision making authority regarding law and order machinery.
Latest reports indicate that Dr. Yunus is panicky. He has no political base of his own. The anti-discrimination body is divided on the political strategy on holding the elections. American officials are against the banning of Awami League from participation in the elections. In fact, the US ambassador is not active in the recent days, indicating that the policies may change drastically if Trump wins. The US embassy, as also the leaders of all political parties, are anxiously waiting for the November 5 outcome.
The interim government is very eager to have political discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but the Indian PM is stalling it. He is also waiting for the November 5 results, looking for a victory of Donald Trump. The Republican victory will be a double bonanza for him politically. Trump will be soft on all human rights issue and will be of help India in getting over the delicate Canada problem knocking on the Government of India’s doorstep, screaming the alleged involvement of the Indian Union home minister Amit Shah himself in the extrajudicial extraterritorial murder of Sikh separatist Nijjar. As regards Bangladesh, Trump is sure to make life difficult for Dr. Yunus, a close friend of Hillary Clinton, whom Trump despises the most among the Democratic Party leaders. Indian Prime Minister cannot wish for a better outcome than Donald Trump’s victory at the decisive November 5 polls.
Interestingly, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has cordial relations with Narendra Modi, is looking for the victory of Donald Trump for different reasons. Russian official sources do not admit that, but the trends are discernible. President Putin feels that Trump in power will help Russia in Ukraine war as Trump is sure to lessen US commitment to Ukraine and President Zelensky. In fact, Trump distrusts Zelensky. He is of the view that the Ukraine president is wasting NATO funds in a long-drawn war which he cannot win.
As against this, China is rooting for the Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris, though Chinese President Xi Jinping has not officially said anything. China’s worry is about further hike in tariff rate on imports from China by the US. As the proponent of Make America Great Again (MAGA), Trump is insistent on this and the supply of semiconductor chips. On both issues, Trump is expected to be stiffer compared to Joe Biden. Taiwan and Asia Pacific will come later. China’s economic goals will be greatly disturbed by Trump, if he comes to power, Chinese policy makers feel.
The November 5 polls outcome will reveal whether the results bring smile to the face of the Indian Prime Minister who, at the moment, is embroiled in a big diplomatic tussle with America and Canada, involving even the credentials of his own Home Minister Amit Shah. Getting out of this Gordian Knot is the highest priority for the Prime Minister at the moment. (IPA Service)
