New Delhi: Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday launched a blistering attack on interim government head Muhammad Yunus, accusing the Nobel laureate of “selling the nation to the United States” and labelling him a “militant leader” who seized power with the backing of extremist groups.
The audio message, posted on the official Facebook page of the Awami League, comes amid escalating political tension between Yunus and Bangladesh’s military leadership, particularly Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman, who has called for general elections to be held by December this year. According to reports, Yunus has threatened to resign in response to mounting pressure.
‘Yunus betraying country’s sovereignty’
Hasina, who resigned and fled the country in August 2024 following massive student-led protests, accused Yunus of betraying the country’s sovereignty and constitutional values. “My father did not agree to America’s demands for St. Martin’s Island. He had to give his life for that. I never thought of selling the country to stay in power,” she said.
She alleged that Yunus, once celebrated for his work in microfinance, has handed control of the country over to extremist groups, including internationally sanctioned militants. “He seized power with the help of terrorists, even those who are banned globally, from whom we protected the people of Bangladesh. Now prisons are empty. They released everyone. Now Bangladesh is ruled by militants,” Hasina added.
Deepening political uncertainty
The former premier also slammed the ban on her Awami League party as “illegal and unconstitutional”. “Who gave this militant leader, who has illegally seized power, the right to touch the constitution? He does not have the mandate of the people and has no constitutional basis. That position (Chief Advisor) also has no legitimacy,” she added.
Hasina’s comments come at a time of deepening political uncertainty. Yunus, appointed interim leader after Hasina’s fall from power last August, has faced growing opposition not only from Hasina loyalists but also from elements within the military and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), both pushing for a swift return to democratic elections.
On Saturday, Yunus warned of “public-backed action” if what he called “unreasonable demands” from the military and opposition parties continued.
