Sheikh Hasina to return to Bangladesh for elections, says son

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will return to her country when its new caretaker government decides to hold elections, her son has said.

Hasina came to India on Monday after she was forced to resign following weeks of deadly protests which had been hijacked by Jamait fundamentalists backed by ISI. A caretaker government led by Muhammad Yunus, backed by powerful lobbies,was sworn in on Thursday, which will be tasked with holding elections.

Her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who is based in the US, said, “For the time being, she (Hasina) is in India. She will go back to Bangladesh the moment the interim government decides to hold an election.”

Hasina’s Awami League party which won the last General Elections does not feature in the interim government, following a student-led uprising hijacked by fundamentalists, against the long-time former prime minister whose exit came after nationwide fundamentalist planned violence, especially against miniorities and supporters of Awami League killed about 300 people and injured thousands. Hindus were especially targeted in many parts of Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina is sheltering in a safe house in the New Delhi area. Indian media has reported that she plans to seek asylum in Britain, but the British Home Office has declined to comment.

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday he spoke to his British counterpart about Bangladesh but did not share any details.

Joy said that he will not refrain from joining politics if that is needed. “I am sure the Awami League will take part in the election and we might even win,” he said.