Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina did not formally resign before leaving the country amid intense anti-government protests, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy has revealed.
“My mother never officially resigned. She just did not get the time,” Wazed told news agency Reuters.
“She had planned to issue a statement and submit her resignation. But then the protesters started marching towards the prime minister’s residence. And there was no time. My mother had not even packed her things. As far as the Constitution is concerned, she is still the prime minister of Bangladesh,” Wazed, who lives in the US, added.
Hasina’s departure follows weeks of violent protests against a quota system for government jobs that spiraled into clashes between protesters and security forces, resulting in hundreds of deaths. The military imposed a curfew and suspended mobile internet services to quell unrest.
The protests, initially led by students, demanded the abolition of the quota system and eventually Hasina’s resignation. The government’s response, including labelling the protesters “terrorists” and “arsonists”, further inflamed the situation.
On August 5, as protesters approached her official residence in Dhaka, Sheikh Hasina fled to India on a military plane. Meanwhile, a caretaker government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has taken over.
Wazed said the formation of a caretaker government without Hasina’s formal resignation “could be challenged in court.” He also expressed confidence that Hasina’s party, the Awami League, would contest the next election, which he said should be held within three months.
“I am confident that the Awami League will come to power. If not, we will be in the opposition. Any way is fine,” Wazed said.
He also expressed his willingness to work with the main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to ensure democratic elections and restore democracy in Bangladesh.
Asked about his own potential as a prime ministerial candidate, Wazed said, “My mother was going to retire after this term anyway. If the party wants, maybe so. I will definitely consider it.”
Regarding the possibility of his mother being prosecuted in Bangladesh, Wazed said, “The threat of arrest has never scared my mother before. My mother has done nothing wrong. Just because people in her government did illegal things doesn’t mean my mother ordered it. It doesn’t mean my mother is responsible for it.”
Hasina, who has ruled Bangladesh for more than 15 years, has been in India since she was granted temporary asylum. She is reportedly seeking asylum in a third country. However, Wazeb denied these reports and insisted that 76-year-old Hasina will return to her country soon.