Awami League President and five-time Prime Minister in exile, Sheikh Hasina, has launched a scathing attack on Muhammad Yunus and his interim administration, accusing it of repression, looting, human rights violations, and orchestrating a “farcical” election scheduled for February 12.
In a fiery audio message that has circulated widely, she described the polls as illegitimate without her Awami League’s participation, claiming the party enjoys over 50% public support and was banned for fear of its electoral strength.
Speaking in the audio, the daughter of Bangabandhu questioned the very nature of the election: “What kind of election is this where the Awami League cannot participate?” She alleged that Yunus seized power illegally through “robbery and looting,” contrasting it with the Awami League’s repeated victories via popular vote. “What right does Yunus have to ban the Awami League? By what qualification?” she demanded, adding that the interim leader has no shame in plundering the nation and its people.
Sheikh Hasina detailed alleged atrocities under the current regime, including the looting of Awami League leaders’ and activists’ homes, bank locker break-ins (including her own family’s jewelry), torture and murder of nearly 1,000 party members and supporters.
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She said that nearly 5,00,000-7,00,000 party leaders and workers have been targeted, with prisons overflowing due to arbitrary detentions without charges.
“This is Yunus’ rule: arrests without cases, gross human rights violations, crimes against humanity,” she stated, naming key figures like Jahangir and Asif Nazrul as accomplices in destroying the country. She also accused associates of exploiting resources, such as destroying St. Martin’s Island and quarrying in Sylhet.
Labelling Bangladesh as having fallen into “misrule and terrorism,” she called Yunus a “terrorist” leading the nation toward destruction and urged unity to resist and save the country. She warned that without the Awami League’s “boat” symbol, voters have no reason to participate amid threats and pre-fixed results.
Drawing historical parallels, Sheikh Hasina highlighted alleged rigging under past regimes, such as General Ziaur Rahman’s 1977 referendum with 110% turnout and his 1978 presidential poll, to argue that Yunus is repeating the same tactics by mobilising state machinery—including army, police, and government employees—for a “yes” vote in what she called a manipulated process.
She defended her own tenure’s elections, reiterating previous statements on their legitimacy. In earlier comments, Hasina had emphasised the unimpeachable 2008 poll, where the Awami League secured over 48% of votes and 230+ seats, while the BNP-led alliance got only 32% and 30 seats.
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“No one can question that election,” she had said. On the 2014 and 2018 elections, she noted her personal efforts to include opposition leader Khaleda Zia, offering ministries and fair discussions, but accused opponents of boycotting or sabotaging. For 2024, she rejected fraud claims, stating no irregularities could be proven despite international propaganda.
Sheikh Hasina attributed the ban on her party to fear: “They know that no matter how much slander against me… if the Awami League participates, the people will vote for it. Because they want the Awami League.” She accused the regime of erasing Liberation War history—destroying memorials and museums and distorting facts—to favoured the defeated forces.
The audio message, her strongest critique yet from exile in India, aligns with recent public addresses where she called Yunus a “murderous fascist” and urged overthrowing the “puppet regime.” It has intensified tensions ahead of the February polls, with the Awami League rejecting the schedule as biased and undemocratic.
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