Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Bir Bikram Oli Ahmed criticized what he called Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s affinity for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying it has frustrated the Bangladeshi public. “Modi has never acted in Bangladesh’s best interests,” he said. “We are not against Hindus in India or the Indian people, but we oppose the government currently in power there. We will also oppose anyone who acts as India’s agent.” Oli accused a small group of business magnates — singling out the S Alam conglomerate as controlling a disproportionate share of national wealth — of thriving under what he described as Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian rule, and blamed the current Indian prime minister for enabling that concentration of wealth. He added that public office should not be a private relationship and called for candidates to be elected by direct popular vote. With Durga Puja approaching, he urged vigilance and protection of minority communities, calling them “our entrusted citizens,” and warned that actions taken from abroad could destabilize Bangladesh.