Extended Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister of Bangladesh, did not quit before leaving for India this week amid anti-government protests outside her official residence, her son and advisor told Reuters early on Saturday.
After an insurrection that murdered over 300 people, many of them students, and ended her 15-year reign of unchallenged power over the nation of 170 million people, Hasina has been taking refuge in New Delhi since Monday.
“My mother did not formally step down. Sajeeb Wazed, Hasina’s son, told Reuters from Washington that “she didn’t get the time.”
“She was going to give a speech and tender her resignation. However, the demonstrators then began to march toward the prime minister’s mansion. Furthermore, time was of the essence. Not even my mother was packed. According to the constitution, she remains Bangladesh’s prime minister.”He noted that even if the president had dissolved the legislature following talks with opposition lawmakers and military chiefs, the establishment of a caretaker administration in the absence of the prime minister’s official resignation “may be challenged in court.”
In addition, Wazed declared that Hasina’s Awami League party would run in the upcoming election, which he insisted would take place in three months.
“I have no doubt that the Awami League will win. We shall be the opposition if not. It’s okay either way,” he remarked.
He stated that a recent declaration by Hasina’s opponent and head of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Khaleda Zia, that there should be no retaliation or retribution after Hasina went, gave him hope.
“I was very happy to hear Mrs. Khaleda Zia’s statement that let bygones be bygones,” Wazed stated. “Forget about the past. Let’s refrain from pursuing vengeance politics. Whether or not there is a unity government, we will need to collaborate.”
He stated that he was “willing to work with the BNP … to have democratic elections in Bangladesh and restore democracy and to work with them to ensure that going forward, we have peaceful democracy where there will be free and fair elections” .
“I believe that politics and negotiations are very important,” he stated. “We are able to disagree. We are able to accept our differences. And a compromise is always possible.”
When asked if he would run for prime minister on behalf of the Awami League, he responded, “My mother was going to retire after this term anyway.” Maybe, if that’s what the party wants. I will give it serious thought.”
He stated that his mother was prepared to stand trial at home, as required by the students who spearheaded the rebellion.
“The threat of arrest has never scared my mother before,” he stated. “There is nothing wrong with my mother. It does not follow that my mother gave the order for illegal actions committed by members of her government. That does not imply that my mum is to blame for it.
He did not specify which government official was in charge of permitting shootings to occur during the demonstrations.
Wazed declared, “A government is a big, big machinery.” “Those who bear responsibility ought to be held accountable.” To be clear, my mother never gave the command for anyone to use violence against the demonstrators. Although some police officers used excessive force, the police were attempting to put an end to the violence.”
“Our government immediately, and I was part of those conversations, I also told my mother, we need to immediately tell (our students wing) not to attack, stop the violence,” he stated.
“We gave the police officers who shot at students a suspension. We exerted every effort possible.”
He promised to come home whenever he felt like it.
“I have never engaged in criminal activity. Thus, he asked, “How is anyone going to stop me?” Politicians and their parties are here to stay. You are unable to eradicate us. You will not be able to establish stability in Bangladesh without our support and assistance.”
