Yunus urges China to relocate solar panel factories to Bangladesh
Dhaka (PTI): China, facing growing export restrictions for its solar panels, should explore the possibility of relocating some of its solar panel factories to Bangladesh to boost the country's green transition and exports, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said on Sunday.
Yunus, who assumed charge of the interim government on August 8, days after the fall of the government led by Sheikh Hasina, made the call when the Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Yao Wen called on him here.
During the meeting, Yunus called for close economic collaboration between Beijing and Dhaka and asked the Chinese investors to relocate their plants to Bangladesh, the official BSS news agency reported.
Yunus noted that China has emerged as one of the largest manufacturers of solar panels, but the country increasingly faced restrictions in the export market.
China is the largest market in the world for both photovoltaics and solar thermal energy.
Chinese manufacturers "can relocate" solar panel factories to Bangladesh, which will help Bangladesh diversify exports and transition into a green economy, the 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate said.
He also stressed the need for increased imports of Bangladeshi goods to China to increase economic cooperation between the two nations.
The chief adviser put emphasis on technological transfer and increased collaboration in disaster management, education and farming.
Ambassador Yao conveyed greetings of the Chinese leadership and its people to Prof Muhammad Yunus on his assumption of the leadership of the Bangladesh Interim Government.
He said Beijing was ready to work with Dhaka and hoped that he would "fulfil expectations of a poverty-free Bangladesh".
"The future of Bangladesh will be better and brighter under your leadership," he told the chief adviser.
Yao pointed out that China and Bangladesh have recently upgraded their relationship to a "comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership" and added that both nations would celebrate the 50th year of diplomatic ties next year.
During the meeting, the Chinese envoy conveyed an invitation from the Chinese leadership to Prof Yunus to visit Beijing at a convenient time.
He said Bangladesh was at a crossroads but "the people of Bangladesh will overcome the challenges".
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
