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Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Yunus unlikely to hold B'desh polls soon, says Hasina aide
Kolkata: Sheikh Hasina aide Obaidul Quader said it was unlikely the interim govt in Bangladesh, led by Muhammed Yunus, would hold a general election anytime soon. The general secretary of Awami League in exile in India further said that Awami League workers were holding political programmes in Bangladesh despite the interim govt's restrictive orders against the party. Speaking in Kolkata, Quader said, "We have command politics in Bangladesh, and it will fail as the command economy has failed. We don't think Yunus is interested in holding an election anytime soon. His associates and allied fundamentalist groups like Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP (National Citizen Party) do not want an election. If Awami League can take part in a free and fair poll, it will make a big impact." "People are disillusioned with the breakdown of the administrative machinery in Bangladesh. There is an upsurge in the support base of Sheikh Hasina. Prices of essentials are rising, the law and order situation has deteriorated and money laundering has increased in Bangladesh. Bank deposits have gone down significantly, while deposits in Swiss banks have increased to a large extent," Quader added. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata He said every political force in Bangladesh had united against Awami League, pointing to a meeting between Yunus and Tarique Rehman, acting chairman of BNP and son of former PM Khaleda Zia, in London. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo "They had a closed-door meeting for over 40 minutes. All of them are against Awami League now. Everywhere he (Yunus) has been blaming Awami League and India for his failures. He is trying to hyphenate India and Awami League. Bangladesh-India bilateral relations are suffering," he said further. Talking about the students' upsurge in Bangladesh which led to Hasina's ouster, Quader said it wasn't a "mass upsurge" but a "mob upsurge" where "radicals, terrorists, militants and religious extremists joined hands to overthrow an elected regime." On the interim govt banning Awami League's political activities following amendments to the country's anti-terrorism law, Quader said, "Awami League was banned before 1971 too. The ban on the party's programme has given renewed strength to workers. Our activists are organising meetings and protests in violation of govt orders. They cannot be repressed anymore." He added that Hasina had been talking to activists at the grassroots-level and had so far spoken to nearly 60 organisational districts. "Since June 23, our party workers in Bangladesh have taken up a month-long programme to celebrate the party's foundation day," he said.
India Today
29-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
‘Blessing in disguise': Why Awami League's Obaidul Quader sees opening in Bangladesh turmoil
Obaidul Quader, general secretary of the Awami League and a senior cabinet member of the erstwhile Sheikh Hasina government, has largely remained out of public eye in the 10 months since the political upheaval and regime change in August 5 last year, the day Hasina had to give up power and hastily leave for India, Quader found himself hiding in a toilet for nearly five hours as protesters stormed Awami League offices across Dhaka. Eventually discovered by demonstrators sympathetic to his plight, he was smuggled out in protesters' a candid and revealing interview from an undisclosed location, Quader shared with INDIA TODAY the events of that fateful day, the current state of affairs in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus and his vision for the Awami League. While reflecting on past missteps and the party's road ahead, he also issued a sharp critique of the present regime—particularly the alleged influence of fundamentalist elements—while defending the military's call for elections and clarifying his own role during the July 2024 uprising.Q. It has been nearly a year since the Awami League was ousted from power. Bangladesh now appears mired in a new wave of uncertainty. How do you interpret the current situation? A. I consider this a blessing in disguise. It presents an opportunity—one that could evolve into something much larger, perhaps explosive. The people of Bangladesh are beginning to recognise that their lives were markedly better under Sheikh Hasina's leadership. They are now drawing comparisons between the present regime under Muhammad Yunus and the governance we provided. Shockingly, fundamentalists call the shot in this government. Even the Bangladesh Nationalist Party seems disillusioned with the interim government. I believe this growing discontent could very well culminate in an organised Given that the Awami League has been proscribed, do you still view this as an opening for your party?A. Absolutely. We shall overcome these restrictions and re-emerge with renewed purpose. For us, it is not merely a question of regaining power; it is about defending the nation's core interests and the wellbeing of its people. The Awami League cannot simply be expunged from the collective consciousness of Bangladesh—we embody the spirit of the Liberation War and the legacy of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. We have made mistakes in the past—there have been missteps. But we are willing to acknowledge them. If we must seek people's forgiveness, we shall do so unreservedly. The party today is purged of all sins.Q. Many within your party label Bangladesh army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman a traitor. Do you share that sentiment?A. No, I do not. The military in Bangladesh is not as politically entrenched as it is in Pakistan. Moreover, during her rule, Sheikh Hasina extended full support to the armed forces, ensuring significant improvements in their infrastructure and capabilities. It is often the case that the military may articulate certain positions, but finds itself unable to act decisively upon them. That said, we are not interested in dwelling on the past. Our focus is firmly on the future. Our leader shares this perspective. At present, the army is calling for elections—and we see nothing wrong with that There are serious allegations that you personally ordered the Chhatra League to suppress the July 2024 uprising.A. These accusations are categorically false. I was not in a position to issue such directives to the Chhatra League (student wing of Awami League). Some have even gone so far as to accuse me of murder—when I have not harmed so much as an ant in my life. However, when I witnessed attacks on our party offices and members, what was I to do? As general secretary of the party, was I expected to sit idle? I did what was necessary—I resisted. That is initial protests were centred around the anti-quota movement, led primarily by students. However, over time, foreign actors became involved, manipulating the demonstrators. Many of the constituents—labourers, farmers, rickshaw-pullers and daily wagers—were either misled or incentivised financially. And now, we see the interim government moving to sell off our national assets. The people are beginning to see the What really happened on August 5, 2024?A. By now, the events of that day are widely known. What I can share is that I remained in Bangladesh, in hiding, for three months following the departure of our prime minister, who was compelled to flee the country. That said, I would like to emphasise once again that the Awami League is focused on the future. Our primary objective is to safeguard the interests of Bangladesh and its people. We acknowledge that errors were made, and we are prepared to seek forgiveness where necessary. However, for the sake of the nation's stability and democratic integrity, and to keep fundamentalists at bay, the interim government must step to India Today Magazine
