Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina Attacks Yunus' Interim Government
In an audio message released on Facebook, she accused Yunus of being a stooge of the United States of America and “selling the nation” to it. She also condemned the recent ban on Awami League as “unconstitutional”
New Delhi: Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh has once again attacked the country’s interim government led by Mohammad Yunus of seizing control of the government with the help of extremist groups. In an audio message released on Facebook, she accused Yunus of being a stooge of the United States of America and “selling the nation” to it. She also condemned the recent ban on Awami League as “unconstitutional.”
“What is happening is beyond tolerance. They (Interim Government) have banned Awami League and are now conspiring to cancel its registration. But people still have faith and trust on AL… Yunus is doing everything to cling to power. But if he goes to the polls, even Grameen Bank loan recipients will not vote for him. AL should get prepared for an all out resistance,” Hasina said.
Yunus is facing pressure from Bangladesh Army and some political parties to hold elections by December 2025, which he is resisting in a bid to stay longer in power.
In the audio message Hasina said her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had resisted US demand for Saint Martin Island and he was assassinated for refusing to cede to the demand. “He had to give his life. And that was my destiny. Because I never had the thought of selling the country to stay in power…It can't be anyone's intention to give up even an inch of that country's soil to anyone. But what a misfortune it is today. Such a person came to power, a person who is absolutely loved by the people of the whole country, a person who is loved by the world, and what happened to that person today when he came to power?" she said while accusing chief advisor Yunus of handing over the strategic area to the US.
Hasina repeated her allegation that Yunus seized power in Bangladesh with the help of extremist groups and those banned by various international arenas, against whom my government protected the people of Bangladesh.
Hasina did a Facebook Live on Sunday during which she interacted with her supporters. Many of them broke down and narrated the torture and harassment they were facing in Bangladesh. As they narrated their situation, Hasina said, “What consolation do I give you,” she said as the AL cadre wept bitterly. She urged her cadre to have faith and things will be better one day.
On Sunday the special court in Dhaka accepted a formal charge against eight police officials in connection to the killing of six protesters on August 5 last year, the day Hasina fled the country in the wake of major student protests. The eight men are charged with crimes against humanity. Four are in custody and four are in absentia. Among those facing trail are Dhaka's former police commissioner, Habibur Rahman, who fled the country when violence struck the city.
On Sunday Chief Adviser Yunus will meet more leaders of various political parties like Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Nagorik Oikya, Biplobi Workers Party, Ganosamhati Andolon, Gono Adhikar Parishad, Bhasani Anusari Parishad, and Rashtra Songskar Andolan.
