New Delhi: Following the removal of his mother from office, Sajeeb Wazed, the son and former adviser to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has indicated to NDTV that he might consider returning to Bangladesh and taking on the leadership of the Awami League, should the party’s members express a desire for him to do so.
In a recent one-on-one conversation, Mr. Wazed shared that his mother, Sheikh Hasina, has no intention of remaining in exile and is eager to return to her homeland. He further mentioned that Ms. Hasina had contemplated retirement after her last two terms as prime minister but did not completely dismiss the idea of re-engaging in political activities.
“I had a conversation with her last evening,” Mr. Wazed revealed. “She hasn’t made any plans yet. She’s just staying where she is. All the speculation about her seeking visas or asylum—none of that is true. Her genuine wish is to eventually return to Bangladesh. Whether it’s to continue in politics or to retire, it’s irrelevant. Bangladesh is her home. She grew up there. This was supposed to be her final term anyway; she’s 76 years old. Her dream has always been to retire in her ancestral home in Tungipara (located in southern Bangladesh). Living in exile outside of Bangladesh is not something she desires,” Mr. Wazed explained.
When queried about the possibility of Ms. Hasina’s return to active politics, Mr. Wazed, an IT entrepreneur based in the US, suggested that she would be the most appropriate person to address that question. He emphasized that her involvement in politics was always for the sake of her country, not for personal power, and that she had been contemplating retirement for the past two terms. He also mentioned that she had been encouraging him to enter politics before each election, highlighting that neither he nor anyone in their family had ever sought power or a political career.
Asked if he would now consider taking up his mother’s suggestion to join politics, given the Awami League’s need for leadership during this critical time, Mr. Wazed acknowledged that he has become the de facto representative of the party. He clarified that this was not a role he sought, as he lacks political ambitions. However, upon learning of the attacks on party leaders and the burning of their homes, including his family’s ancestral home, he felt compelled to support them. He expressed his commitment to doing whatever is necessary to assist the Awami League, which still boasts millions of followers and is not expected to disappear quickly.
Mr. Wazed stated that the Awami League could win future elections based on Ms. Hasina’s development record and that the party, being democratic, would allow its members to decide on leadership. He indicated that if the party activists called for him to join, he would consider it, and if they wanted Ms. Hasina to lead, she would do so, as the decision ultimately rests with the party members.
Regarding the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, Mr. Wazed criticized it for lacking a mandate and for not adhering to the constitutional requirement for elections within 90 days. He accused the government of being appointed by a small minority, possibly with foreign support, and of attempting to reform the country without popular consent. He described it as an unconstitutional, hand-picked government that should prioritize holding elections promptly.
When asked if his mother would be willing to return to Bangladesh to face legal charges, Mr. Wazed asserted that she has nothing to fear. He pointed out that she had been arrested and tried during a previous military takeover, only to be acquitted of all charges. He emphasized that if there were individuals in their government who had acted illegally, those were the ones who should be tried, not his mother.
