
Sajeeb Wazed, the son and adviser of Bangladesh鈥檚 ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has said that his mother did not officially resign as the prime minister before fleeing Bangladesh amid escalating anti-government protests.
鈥楳y mother never officially resigned. She didn鈥檛 get the time,鈥� Sajeeb told Reuters from Washington on August 10, according to a report by Firstpost. He emphasised that 鈥榓s far as the constitution goes, she is still the prime minister of Bangladesh.鈥�
Sheikh Hasina fled to India earlier this week as anti-government protesters marched on her official residence, marking a dramatic end to her 15-year uninterrupted rule.
Sajeeb revealed that the president had dissolved parliament after consulting with the army chief and opposition politicians. He suggested that the establishment of a caretaker government without a formal resignation from the prime minister could potentially be challenged in court.
鈥楳y mother is ready to face trial back home, as demanded by the students who led the uprising,鈥� Sajeeb stated. He defended his mother, insisting that she was not responsible for any illegal actions taken by her government. 鈥楯ust because people in her government did illegal things, did not mean my mother ordered it,鈥� he added.
Sajeeb did not specify who within the government was responsible for the violent crackdown on protesters, which resulted in the deaths of at least 300 people, many of whom were students.
However, he shifted the blame onto police officers, asserting that his mother did not authorise the use of force.
鈥楾hose who are responsible should be brought to justice. My mother absolutely did not order anyone to commit violence against the protesters,鈥� Sajeeb said, adding that the Hasina government had suspended the police officers involved in the shootings.
Looking ahead, Sajeeb confirmed that the Awami League, Hasina鈥檚 party, would contest the next election. 鈥業鈥檓 confident that Awami League will come to power. If not, we will be the opposition. Either way is fine,鈥� he remarked, demanding that the elections be held within three months.