Sheikh Hasina’s son confirms when his mother will return to Bangladesh
Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has signaled a potential foray into politics amid escalating unrest in Bangladesh. Speaking from his residence in Washington DC on Thursday, Joy declared his readiness to engage in politics if necessary to safeguard his party and its members.
Joy’s remarks mark a significant shift from his previous stance, where he had shown little interest in a political career. He attributed his change in position to recent upheavals in Bangladesh, which he believes necessitate his active involvement. “My mother had planned to retire from politics after her current term. I had settled in the US with no political ambitions. However, recent developments reveal a leadership void that compels me to step up for the party,” Joy stated.
This announcement follows the recent release of Khaleda Zia from house arrest and the anticipated return of her son, Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), to Dhaka. On the same day, Nobel Laureate Md Yunus assumed leadership of an interim government in Bangladesh.
Joy expressed optimism about the Awami League’s prospects in upcoming elections, asserting, “I am confident the Awami League will participate in the elections and potentially secure victory. We have the largest supporter base in Bangladesh.”
Addressing speculation regarding his mother’s future, Joy clarified, “Currently, she is in India. She will return to Bangladesh as soon as the interim government schedules the elections.”
Meanwhile, Joy’s sister, Saima Wazed, reaffirmed her commitment to her role as the WHO Regional Director. On Thursday, she shared her distress on X, stating, “I am heartbroken over the loss of life in Bangladesh, a country I deeply love. It pains me that I cannot be with my mother during this difficult time. I remain dedicated to my role as RD WHO.”
She added, “To those who have expressed concern, while I would love to see my mother, I do not wish to jeopardize her safety.”
Joy also called for introspection within the Awami League, acknowledging past mistakes and the rapid escalation of the current situation. “Running a country involves countless decisions daily. The Awami League values introspection, but we did not get the opportunity to address the situation before it escalated,” he remarked.
Furthermore, Joy cautioned against the potential consequences of a BNP-Jamaat alliance, warning that it could threaten minority safety and India’s eastern border security. “If the Awami League is not in power, the security of India’s eastern border could be at risk. An alliance between BNP and Jamaat may not be favorable for India, as Jamaat could resort to militancy,” he warned, urging India to pressure Bangladesh for expedited elections.
