Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of ousted dictator Sheikh Hasina, on Tuesday (Sep 25) told Reuters that credible reforms of the state apparatus and fair elections are not possible without the inclusion of Awami League in the process.

The interim government has not supported moves to ban Awami League as a political party, over its involvement in the July-August mass killing, but it has made it clear that the country’s biggest party would be excluded in dialogues with political entities on reform agenda.

The history of an “unconstitutional and unelected” government undertaking rigorous reform initiatives only to make matters worse is old in Bangladesh, Joy said potentially warning that the story of military coups and disastrous undemocratic rule could be repeated in the country now being led by an army-backed government.

He, however, welcomed Army chief Waker-uz-Zaman’s opinion of holding elections within one-and-a-half year or so, as now at least “we have an expected timeline.”

Wazed, who lives in Washington, said neither he nor the interim government had reached out for talks since the ouster of Awami League from power on 5 August.

"It's impossible to have legitimate reforms and elections by excluding the oldest and largest political party," he added.

BDST: 1813 HRS, SEP 25, 2024
MSK