Sheikh Hasina's close aide slams Bangladesh interim govt for announcing April polls

He said Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India amid severe protests against her government last year on August 5, remains the 'duly elected Prime Minister' till 2029.

"As you know, Bangladesh went through turmoil...it was a false flag operation. The protest led by the students was hijacked by (people now in) the interim government headed by Dr Yunus," Rabbi Alam told ANI.

He said the announcement of a national election is "like a lollipop being handed to a young child".

"Our constitution is the core of the fundamentals of the nation and this constitution gives the rights. Sheikh Hasina is democratically elected. We will condemn this so-called election because, according to our constitution, Sheikh Hasina is the Prime Minister until 2029. People are the main powerhouse in a democratic form of government. People voted, elected Sheikh Hasina," he told ANI.

He blamed Interim government chief Muhammad Yunus for the law and order situation in the country.

"We know that the country faced a heavy backlash. There are many incidents of rape, killing, arson, burning, fire. Lynching, mob justice is every day matter," he told the Indian news agency.

Interim government chief Muhammad Yunus has announced Bangladesh will vote in the general polls in April next year, paving the way for the first election in the country since the fall of the ex-PM Sheikh Hasina-led government in August last year amid the violent quota reform movement.

“Based on this announcement, the Election Commission will provide a detailed roadmap in due course,” Yunus said during a televised address to the nation on Friday, as quoted by Dhaka Tribune.

“There is immense public and political interest regarding the timing of the election,” he said.

“As I’ve said before, it will be held between December and June. The government is working to ensure an environment conducive to a credible election within this timeframe," the Interim government chief said.

Yunus said: "Our goal is to prevent future crises. That requires institutional reform. Without ensuring good governance in the institutions directly linked to the electoral process, all the sacrifices made by students and citizens will be in vain.”

He said that with the election, Bangladesh will form a truly representative parliament.

Yunus said: "Millions of young voters will be casting their votes for the first time. We are committed to taking every step necessary to ensure this future.”

“This election is not just about peace,” he said. “It’s about realising the student-led uprising’s vision of a ‘New Bangladesh.’ The parties and symbols may remain the same, but voters must evaluate who is genuinely committed to change.”