Yunus's speedy takeover shows 2024 coup was premeditated: Sheikh Hasina
What's the story
Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has alleged that her ouster was a premeditated coup. In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, she said the rapid takeover by Muhammad Yunus and other events like immunity for last year's rioters and the dissolution of a judicial inquiry show her ouster was not spontaneous but planned. These are all acts that "indicate a preconceived strategy. Yunus, it seems, had been preparing to seize power, or those who installed him had," she said.
Cabinet criticism
Hasina slams Yunus for placing radical extremists in cabinet
She claims that the true nature of the regime change only became clear after she fled her country. Hasina also slammed Yunus for placing radical extremists in his cabinet and dismantling constitutional safeguards. She said Western admirers mistook his economic theories for democratic credentials, but that illusion is fading. She also denied any Western involvement in her ouster, calling it an internally engineered effort under the cover of street violence.
Political warning
Political stability at stake under Yunus's rule, warns Hasina
Hasina warned that Bangladesh's political stability is at stake under Yunus's rule. She stressed on the need for free, fair, and inclusive elections to restore democratic governance. "The only way to restore good health to Bangladesh's political system is by enabling a government to be elected and genuinely rule by the consent of the people," she said.
Diplomatic gratitude
Thank India for shelter, diplomatic support amid political turmoil
Hasina also thanked India for providing shelter and diplomatic support amid the political turmoil. "As Bangladesh's most important ally, India has an interest in seeing a stable, legitimate and democratically elected regime...backed by the support of its people," she said. On violence against minorities, she said, "Yunus's evident problems with Delhi have nothing to do with me." "They are caused by his sponsorship of extremists, his failure to protect religious minorities, and the anti-India rhetoric emanating from his administration."
Ouster
Hasina fled the country on August 5, 2024
In another interview, she declared that her return to the country depends on the restoration of "participatory democracy," the lifting of the ban on her Awami League party, and the holding of free, fair, and inclusive elections. Hasina fled the country on August 5, 2024, following violent anti-government protests that forced her resignation and resulted in the formation of the Yunus-led interim administration.