'Not a symbol of democratic regime change:' Ousted ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina slams Yunus govt

Ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina

Ousted former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has slammed the current interim Chief Adviser, Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus in the country, saying that the technocratic image cultivated by his former work should not be mistaken for political legitimacy or control over the current administration’s direction.

In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, the former Bangladesh PM said that Yunus is "being used as a front man by the extremists in his administration". SHe said that those extremists have a “sectarian, score-settling, and socially regressive domestic agenda", adding, that Yunus' cabinet includes radical extremists, leading to an environment where minorities are being oppressed.

Hasina also took a dig at Yunus’s democratic legitimacy and said, “He is not a symbol of democratic regime change, nor does he command any broad support."

She said that he does not have an electoral mandate and that his administration has decided to restrict the Awami League from participating in the upcoming election. She said that her party is “supported by millions and which has been elected nine times in the past".

Hasina said that Yunus is an unelected figure who is now seeking to bar from the election a party that is supported by millions

Slamming his Western admirers, Hasina said, “If Westerners think Yunus is a friendly face, they are being fooled". She said that the international community’s “illusion is fading", and they are beginning to see him as “an unelected head of state" whose administration is dismantling the constitution and failing to protect minorities.

The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry on Wednesday summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka, Pawan Badhe, to formally convey Bangladesh's serious concern over what they claim is the Indian government allowing former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to interact with the mainstream Indian media, State news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported.

"The ministry reportedly conveyed that harbouring such a notorious fugitive currently under trial for committing crimes against humanity and granting her a platform to spew hatred and advocate terrorist acts inside Bangladesh are unhelpful to fostering a constructive bilateral relationship between the two countries," the BSS report said, quoting sources.

"The Indian diplomat was asked to convey to New Delhi Bangladesh's request to immediately discontinue Hasina's access to media," the report said.

With ANI inputs