Unelected govt decisions 'harming Bangladesh': Shringla

Indian MP and former diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said Bangladesh is being run by an “unelected interim administration that is making decisions not accepted by the people”, linking the country’s political uncertainty to the fallout over the T20 World Cup and the Feb 12 election, the Telegraph India reports.

Pulling out of the World Cup was “not in the interest of sports” and would ultimately harm Bangladesh cricket, Shringla was quoted as saying by the Telegraph India on Friday.

“I have many friends in Bangladesh, particularly in the sporting community. They feel the team’s non-participation is detrimental to cricket in general,” Shringla, who served as India’s high commissioner to Bangladesh, said.

“Those running the interim administration have put themselves in the place… they have not been elected. This administration is making some decisions that are not welcomed by people,” Shringla said, according to The Telegraph India.

“The Indian government has made it clear that all political parties should join the elections, but that is not happening.”

When asked about the Jamaat-e-Islami’s prospects in the coming election, Shringla dismissed the idea that the Islamist party could win in a fair contest.

“If the election turns unfair and is rigged, it can come to power. Otherwise, chances are less; its vote share has been 5 to 7 percent, and that too, with the help of other political forces,” he was quoted as saying.

Shringla also linked Bangladesh’s internal political turbulence to what he described as a growing cross-border problem for India, particularly in West Bengal.

“From Bangladesh, people are coming here, and they are being allowed for political interests. These infiltrators are a problem, and we have to stop this practice. We want Bengal to head towards development,” he said.

On Saturday, ICC made it official that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup, following nearly three weeks of back and forth over the row.

The dispute was triggered on Jan 3, when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad.

Although no reason was publicly given, the move came amid deteriorating relations between India and Bangladesh.

A day later, after consulting the government, the BCB wrote to the ICC saying the national team would not travel to India for its World Cup matches on security grounds.