Ousted former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will return to her country once the new caretaker government decides to hold elections, according to her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy. However, it remains unclear whether Hasina will contest the upcoming elections.
Hasina’s Departure And Interim Government
Hasina fled to neighbouring India on Monday after weeks of deadly protests forced her to resign. A caretaker government, led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, was sworn in on Thursday and is responsible for organising the upcoming elections.
Sajeeb Wazed Joy’s Statement
In an interview with the Times of India, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who is based in the US, confirmed that his mother is currently in India. “For the time being, she (Hasina) is in India. She will go back to Bangladesh the moment the interim government decides to hold an election,” he said.
Joy did not clarify whether Hasina, 76, would participate in the elections. He mentioned that his mother had planned to retire from politics after her current term. “I never had any political ambition and was settled in the US. But the developments in Bangladesh in the past few days show that there is a leadership vacuum. I had to get active for the sake of the party, and I am at the forefront now,” Joy added.
Current Situation And Future Prospects
Hasina’s Awami League party is not part of the interim government, following a student-led uprising against her rule. The violent protests that led to her resignation resulted in the deaths of approximately 300 people and injuries to thousands more.
Currently, Hasina is staying in a safe house in the New Delhi area. Indian media have reported that she may seek asylum in Britain, though the British Home Office has declined to comment. India’s foreign minister mentioned discussing Bangladesh with his British counterpart on Thursday but did not provide further details.
(With Inputs from Reuters)
