Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina has sharply criticised the interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, accusing it of undermining democratic norms by suspending the Awami League ahead of the February 12 general elections.
In a written interview with The Print, Hasina said the move has effectively disenfranchised millions of voters and weakened the credibility of the electoral process. She dismissed the government’s assertion that the party has merely been “suspended” rather than banned, arguing that a party barred from campaigning or contesting elections is, in practice, excluded from political life.
Hasina alleged the interim administration cleared the electoral field out of fear of defeat, insisting that elections held without the Awami League cannot be free, fair or legitimate. She also accused Yunus, whom she described as unelected, of reshaping legal frameworks to legitimise what she called unlawful actions.
The Awami League ruled Bangladesh from 2009 until Hasina was ousted in August 2024 following mass protests that turned violent. While expressing regret over the loss of life, Hasina denied responsibility, claiming the protests were later overtaken by extremist forces seeking to topple her government. She warned that law and order have deteriorated under the interim administration, citing rising political violence and renewed concerns over the safety of minorities.
As Bangladesh heads toward an election without the Awami League, a party central to the country’s independence and post-1971 political history, questions over inclusiveness, legitimacy and security continue to dominate the political landscape.
