Awami League President and Prime Minister in exile Sheikh Hasina has called on the BNP to lift the ban on her party if it comes to power in the upcoming elections, emphasising the need for genuine parliamentary opposition to strengthen democracy.
In an exclusive interview with Zee 24 Ghanta (a sister publication of WION), she outlined her vision for restoring constitutional governance, reviving the economy, protecting minorities, and rebuilding institutions amid Bangladesh’s ongoing political turmoil. She also critiqued the BNP’s leadership and recent events involving violence and extremism.
Sheikh Hasina’s remarks come amid her call for boycotting the February 12 general election, with the Awami League currently barred from participating and the political landscape dominated by the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. She reiterated her commitment to democratic restoration and warned against extremism tearing the nation apart.
She addressed doubts about the reliability of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and the party itself. She acknowledged the historical rivalry between the BNP and Awami League, describing it as a normal feature of democracy where opposition parties challenge each other to improve governance.
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However, she raised concerns over Rahman’s long exile in London—17 years following a conviction for abetting embezzlement of public funds—questioning the accountability of leading from abroad and returning only when conditions suit. More critically, Sheikh Hasina accused BNP activists of intimidating voters through threats of violence and destruction ahead of polls, labelling such tactics as coercion rather than democratic practice.
“If the BNP forms the next government, I would urge them to restore proper parliamentary democracy by lifting the ban on the Awami League and allowing us to serve as legitimate opposition,” she said. “A parliament without genuine opposition is not a parliament at all.”
India-Bangladesh Ties
When asked, Sheikh Hasina commented on Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attending the funeral rites of late BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, who passed away recently. She described India’s participation as a matter of diplomatic courtesy and respect for a former head of government, extending condolences to Zia’s family.
She stressed that India’s core interests in Bangladesh remain consistent: seeking a stable, reliable partner that protects minorities, honours commitments, and supports regional cooperation. Hasina expressed concern over current instability, including attacks on religious minorities, journalists, and diplomatic premises, which she said harms both nations. She voiced confidence that deep-rooted ties between India and Bangladesh, built on mutual respect, would eventually be restored.
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Sheikh Hasina strongly criticised the treatment of Osman Goni, alias Sharif Osman Hadi—a radical Islamist activist and candidate in the Dhaka-8 constituency who died from injuries sustained in an attack—as a “martyr,” including his burial near national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
She highlighted Nazrul’s legacy of fighting oppression and promoting communal harmony, contrasting it sharply with the violence and destruction that followed Hadi’s death.
Sheikh Hasina attributed Hadi’s killing to electoral rivalries involving BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and National Citizen Party (NCP) candidates, rather than any broader conspiracy.
She condemned the subsequent mob violence, including the burning of newspaper offices (with journalists trapped inside) and attacks on diplomatic missions, as assaults on freedom of expression. Hasina contrasted this with her government’s tenure, when she said journalists operated without fear and political opposition was encouraged as essential to democracy.
She described the glorification of such violence by unelected authorities—who she claimed rose to power through killings, arson, and chaos—as unsurprising but deeply troubling.
BNP Leader Fakhrul Claims Democracy Weakened Without Hasina
In a contrasting development on the same day, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated during an election campaign rally in Thakurgaon that Bangladesh would have maintained at least a minimum level of democratic governance had Sheikh Hasina remained in the country.
Speaking at BD High School field in Begunbari union of Thakurgaon-1 constituency on January 26, 2026, Fakhrul noted that Hasina’s departure to India left people in uncertainty and complicated the political situation. He referenced the 1971 Liberation War, criticising groups he claimed collaborated with Pakistani forces during independence and now seek public support.
Fakhrul urged voters to choose cautiously and assured religious minorities—particularly the Hindu community—that fears are unfounded. He reiterated BNP’s belief in equality for all citizens regardless of religion, echoing former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s stance that no group should be treated as a minority. He pledged protection of rights for all, with special emphasis on women.
The comments highlight deepening political divisions ahead of Bangladesh’s February 12, 2026, general election—the first since Hasina’s ouster—with the Awami League barred from participation and the BNP positioning itself as a key contender amid ongoing instability and concerns over violence.
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