SHEIKH HASINA KEEN ON FIGHTING INCLUSIVE POLLS

AFTER 15 months of her stay in an undisclosed location in India, exiled former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina has finally spoken her mind in an exclusive email interview. For the first time, she accepts “leadership responsibility” for the killing of citizens during the mass protest against her government from July 15 to August 5, 2024. Here’s the full text of the interview:

- GAUTAM LAHIRI

@ The Bangladeshi authorities have banned the Awami League from contesting the general elections early next year. Are your party members considering running as independents?

The decision to ban the Awami League is deeply undemocratic anda clear violation of Bangladesh’s constitution and of the fundamental rights of the electorate. It shortchanges millions of people. Historically, when parties have not participated in previous elections, Bangladeshi voters have simply not voted, rather than transfer their vote to other parties. So our priority is to continue fighting for the rights of our voters.