Awami League is willing to form an alliance with BNP: On August 5, Dr. Hasan Mahmud, former Foreign Minister and Information Minister, and Joint General Secretary of the Bangladesh Awami League, made his first official statement since the fall of the government on the opinion-based program ‘Abhimoat’ of the UK-based Bengali satellite television channel ‘Channel S’. In a program titled “Awami League: Nervous, Frustrated, cornered?” held on November 3, this Awami League leader discussed the potential of an alliance with the BNP in Bangladesh’s present political climate.
Awami League is willing to form an alliance with BNP. In answer to a query from the program’s host, Bulbul Hasan, Dr. Hasan Mahmud stated, “The Bangladesh Awami League has previously experienced failures. Our leader, Sheikh Hasina, keeps communication with everyone. Previously, the Awami League withstood crises and made a comeback, eventually rising to power four successive times. We confronted harder hardships and overcame them to rise again.”
He stated, “The Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu, was slain alongside his family as part of an international plot. Four national leaders were also killed. This time around, there were both internal and foreign plots. It’s not because we didn’t comprehend. Domestic and foreign plots influenced the events of August 5.
Hasan Mahmud expressed strong opposition to the proposal of banning the Chhatra League, saying, “I’ve read statements from competent BNP leaders about the ban on the Chhatra League. They have also opposed it. Even if a political group is officially prohibited, it is not genuinely banned. This also applies to the Chhatra League. Following the first election in Bangladesh in 1975, many assumed the Awami League’s popularity had dwindled by the time of the 1979 parliamentary election. At the time, the Awami League had secured more than 35% of the votes. Currently, at least 40 to 50 percent of Bangladesh’s population supports the Awami League.
“Those who think of banning a political party like the Awami League are engaging in nothing but unrealistic fantasy.”
He continued, “It is incomprehensible how or why anyone would think of banning a political party that led to the creation of Bangladesh and under whose leadership the country has achieved numerous accomplishments.”
Hasan Mahmud stated, “Thousands of cases have been filed in Bangladesh.” Some estimates put the number individuals accused in these instances at 6 million. Police are conducting searches at the residences of grassroots ward-level workers. They cannot remain in their homes. Thousands of our leaders and activists have been slaughtered. People talk about the July and August killings, but those killings are still going on. These are not considered killings.”
He stated, “When the police were attacked in July and August, didn’t they have the right to self-defense?” It’s not that the police didn’t fire in self-defense; they undoubtedly did. We have never rejected the culpability of either the police or the government. We’re not denying it now either. If you hold a position of responsibility, you must accept it. Because of this sense of accountability, the Sheikh Hasina government established an investigating committee. Prior to August 5, several of our leaders and activists were killed. We are accumulating data on this and will share it.”
The former minister went on to say, “There is a significant question about the number of deaths reported—what is the actual figure?” Allow them to publicize the names of those who have actually been killed. I believe it would have been better if the general students’ original demands had not been completely left to the court and handled differently. Allowing the situation to deteriorate to this point was a mistake, in my opinion.”
In response to the question, “What was the biggest mistake or failure in the past 15 years?” Hasan Mahmud stated, “Mistakes will occur when in authority. No government in the world can run with complete perfection. We also committed numerous mistakes, not just one or two; mistakes are unavoidable while in a position of responsibility. Personally, I believe
—and this is not my party’s opinion, but my own as Dr. Hasan Mahmud—that while the BNP continuously boycotted polls and attempted to prevent them, it was our failure to accommodate the BNP in the elections. We were unable to bring them to the 2014 and 2024 elections, which was a political failure. “They tried to make us fail, but it is still our failure.”
Regarding the fact that many members of the Student Shibir had joined the Chhatra League, he stated, “Such an event has not occurred in the case of the Awami League.” It is now shocking that this was feasible and that our student leaders were unaware of it. It’s startled me as well.”
He stated, “The way falsified news has been reported against us, I have responded to every news item. Only one of them has been published. It is stated that the government has placed a prohibition. Was this true during the time of the Awami League? Many developing countries do not have the same level of media freedom that we do.
Regarding the party’s future leadership, Hasan Mahmud stated, “Change has always occurred within the party. However, Sheikh Hasina is the Awami League’s lifeblood; the Awami League cannot exist without her. There is democracy inside the party, hence there is no set lineup. Time and circumstances will determine the future leader.
The Awami League’s Joint General Secretary stated, “In the current context, we agree with many of the BNP’s statements.” During the 1/11 government, we fought to restore democracy by creating an alliance with the BNP, and democracy has returned. Now, many of the statements stated by the BNP’s Acting Chairman, Mr. Tarique Rahman, and General Secretary, Mr. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, resonate with me. If the need arises to restore democracy, we are fully prepared to collaborate with the BNP; there is no disagreement on this point.”
“I admire their stance on the president and their attempts to avoid a constitutional crisis in the country. I fully agree with the BNP’s statements following the attack and arson at the Jatiya Party office. The administration has not responded to the posting against a political party or the burning down of its offices. I’m quite disappointed and wondering where we’re going.”
Addressing party leaders and activists, Dr. Hasan Mahmud stated, “There is no cause for my party’s leaders and activists to be discouraged. Following 1975, the party faced difficulties, but it has since recovered. The party has won four elections in a row. I’d like to assure individuals who are currently experiencing oppression and persecution that this darkness will pass, and the country will soon return to a fair and regular environment. Our leader, Sheikh Hasina, is thoroughly aware of everything and communicates with everyone.”
“Her morale is completely elevated. I would tell the leaders and activists that once the darkness has passed, we will treat everyone with tolerance. We have made faults in governance. We acknowledge our faults. “People learn from their errors.
