Staff Correspondent

Hasan Mahmud, the joint general secretary of the ousted Awami League, has expressed his party's readiness to work alongside the BNP, if necessary, for the ‘restoration of democracy’ in Bangladesh.

In an interview with London-based Channel S on Sunday, the former minister of Sheikh Hasina’s administration said, "I agree with the BNP on many issues.

"We concur with the BNP's call for the restoration of democracy and for a free, fair, and impartial election. If necessary, we will work together with the BNP to restore democracy."

Reports surfaced about Hasan leaving the country following the massive student-led movement that led to the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5.

However, questions remain about how he managed to leave amid the arrests of former ministers and party MPs from the ousted government.

Immediately after the government's fall, Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy hinted at bridging the gap with the BNP and potentially working together.
But the BNP has yet to respond. Its leaders have instead denounced the Awami League as "fascist" and expressed their opposition to any cooperation..

Recently, the BNP’s stance towards the interim government has also shifted.

The leaders are now calling for swift elections, with Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir saying that attempts similar to the ‘Minus 2 Formula’ from the ‘1/11’ era will not succeed.

The military-backed caretaker government of Fakhruddin Ahmed came to power on Jan 11, 2007, after toppling the Iajuddin Ahmed-led polls-time government.

Hasina and BNP chief Khaleda Zia were among the top politicians to be arrested for corruption.

All political activities were banned under the state of emergency. Freedom of expression was curbed.

Politicians and members of the so-called civil society use the term ‘1/11’ to warn against threats to democracy.

Many term the attempt to eliminate the two top leaders from Bangladeshi politics during the Fakhruddin regime as the ‘Minus 2 Formula’.

Hasan referenced the past cooperative movements during the military-controlled caretaker government in 2007.

This was his first high-level interview from the Awami League nearly three months after the government’s fall during a discussion titled ‘Awami League: Anxious, Disappointed, Cornered?’ which he joined virtually.

Hosted by Bulbul Hasan, the programme titled “Obhimot” did not reveal Hasan’s current position.

He answered questions about the Awami League's 15-year rule, the July-August 'killings', the party's return, and the activities of the interim government.

AGREEMENT WITH MANY OF FAKHRUL-TARIQUE'S STATEMENTS

During his time in power, Hasan frequently criticised the BNP and its acting chairman Tarique Rahman, but now he acknowledged that he agrees with several recent statements made by the leaders of the BNP.

He reacted to statements regarding the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, the banning of the Awami League's student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League, the arson attack on the Jatiya Party office, and the reforms advocated by Tarique and Fakhrul of the BNP.

In response to a question, Hasan Mahmud said: "We agree with many statements from the BNP. We worked together with the one-eleven government to restore democracy, and democracy has returned.

“Many of the statements made by Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the BNP, and Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the secretary general of the party, resonate with us.”

The Awami League joint general secretary emphasised, "Especially, I agree with Mirza Fakhrul when he said, 'Who are we to ban a political party?'—this question raised by him aligns with my views. They have also voiced against the paper-based ban on the Chhatra League, which I agree with.

"And I completely concur with the statement made by the BNP’s acting chairman and secretary general, that the sole aim of the interim government should be to conduct a free, fair, and participatory election and hand over power to the elected representatives."

Hasan also commended the BNP's stance on preventing a constitutional crisis in the country, starting from questions about the president's resignation.

He said, "I agree with the statements made by the BNP following the attack and arson at the Jatiya Party office. I find no government response regarding the matter when one posts on Facebook about attacking a political party and burning down their office."

Despite opposing the banning of political parties, he commented on the potential banning of Jamaat-e-Islami’s political activities, saying: “I do not want to comment on this matter today. However, I believe that simply banning a political party does not make it banned.”

SUPPORT FOR TARIQUE'S PROPOSAL FOR A HIGHER CHAMBER IN PARLIAMENT

Hasan said he agrees with BNP's acting chairman Tarique's remarks about establishing a bicameral parliament for state reforms.

“Bangladesh needs a higher chamber, similar to those in India, Pakistan, and other countries," he added. "This will enable the involvement of intellectuals and civil society in state affairs.”

“There is a vast intellectual community and a large civil society in our country, and they want to contribute to governance, but they largely feel that they are not being given the opportunity.”

“In our electoral system, it is difficult for a common intellectual to be elected because of the amount of time politics demands and how expensive politics has become.”

He added, “If we have a higher chamber through an electoral college, we will be able to involve our intellectual class and civil society in it.”

“In that case, many talented individuals will be able to contribute to state affairs. The acting chairman of BNP has also spoken on this matter. He has also supported the idea of an upper house.”

ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES TO LEAD STATE REFORMS

Saying that many reforms are needed in the state, the joint general secretary of the Awami League said: “However, before state reforms, what is more necessary is that the primary responsibility for state reforms lies with elected representatives, as Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said, and I fully agree with him.”

“I believe that state reforms need to be carried out through elected representatives. State reform is an ongoing process; it does not end in three months, six months, or three years.”

PAST MISTAKES IN GOVERNANCE

Hasan acknowledged that there have been mistakes in governance by the Awami League, saying: “Certainly, we have made mistakes in governance. Mistakes happen. We acknowledge those mistakes, and people learn from them.”

“Today, the despair among people regarding the cost of living, law and order, and the future— I hope that through our collective efforts, this despair will be overcome, and the country will be well. A peaceful environment will return to the country. We all want to work together towards that goal.”

POLITICAL FAILURES REGARDING BNP'S PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIONS

He referred to the inability to bring the BNP to the elections in 2014 and 2024 as a failure of the Awami League, saying: “BNP has always boycotted elections and attempted to obstruct them.”

“However, since we were in power, our failure in this regard was that we could not bring the BNP to the elections. Not being able to bring them to the elections in 2014 and 2024 is a political failure on our part.”

When asked if this had been discussed in the party forums, he said: “We have talked about this in various forums; however, there has not been a detailed discussion in the party forum. Nonetheless, discussions have taken place at various times regarding bringing the BNP to the elections and why it is necessary to bring the BNP.”

“THE DARKNESS WILL PASS”

Hasan also addressed the party’s leaders and activists.

He remarked that there is “no reason for despair” among the party workers, saying: “I would tell all of them that this darkness will pass, and soon the country will return to a healthy and normal environment. We have been with the people in the past and will continue to be with them in the future.”

“Our leader, Sheikh Hasina, is fully aware of everything. She maintains communication with everyone, and her morale is completely high. We believe that this darkness will soon pass.”

“AWAMI LEAGUE IS DELIBERATELY SILENT”

During the event, the presenter asked, “Are you waiting for the interim government to fail, or do you have a specific agenda or plan to make a comeback?”

The Awami League leader replied, “We are deliberately waiting. If we were to launch a political programme now, many would again say that the state cannot function because of us, that prices are rising because of us, and so on.”

“When garment workers protest, they say, ‘authoritarianism is returning.’ When the workers protest after a shrine is demolished, they say, ‘authoritarianism is returning.’ When such statements are made, we are deliberately remaining silent so that we do not face blame.”

He added, “The Awami League is a party with millions of leaders and activists, and billions of supporters. Therefore, the Awami League has never diminished and will never diminish.”

“We want the country to do well and for the people to do well. The Awami League is consciously remaining silent at this time.”

When questioned about the legitimacy of the interim government and the formation of an expatriate government by the Awami League, Hasan said that he is not aware of such “thoughts” and has not heard any discussion on this matter.

“SHOW US WHERE THE AYNA GHOR IS”

The interim government and human rights activists have accused the Awami League government of forcibly disappearing many individuals and detaining them without trial in secret facilities, symbolically referred to as the “Ayna Ghor.”

In response to a question about the existence of the “Ayna Ghor” for detaining dissenters, former foreign minister Hasan neither confirmed nor denied its existence, saying: “The Awami League is no longer in power, and this government has been in power for almost three months. So, where is the Ayna Ghor?”

“The head of RAB (Rapid Action Battalion) in this government has said that no evidence of the ‘Ayna Ghor’ has been found.”

Referring to Law Advisor Asif Nazrul’s comments about 2.6 million Indians in Bangladesh, he asked: “Where are the 2.6 million Indians? Where is the Ayna Ghor? I would like him, as the law advisor, to show this to the public.”

Hasan claimed that he is personally not in favour of retaliatory behaviour and that his party has never supported such actions, saying: “The politics of denial, dialectical politics, and the politics of hate should be put to rest in Bangladesh. A tolerant political environment should be created in the country.”

“Elections will be held, and after the elections, those who form the government through free and fair elections, and those in the opposition will engage in constructive criticism. This should be the norm, even when the opposition returns to power.”

DOUBTS ABOUT THE DEATH TOLL

Regarding the government's claim that approximately 1,500 people were killed by police and Awami League activists during the student movement from Jul 15 to Aug 5, Hasan expressed doubts about the number.

He said, “What is the actual figure being presented? There is a significant question about it. Some say it’s hundreds, some say thousands or more. Everything is being said in vague terms.”

When the presenter said the government claimed about 1,500 deaths, Hasan responded: “This is what this government is saying. Let them disclose the names. Who has been killed, where, and in what places—this has never been made public.”

“Forty-three police identities have been disclosed. However, international media has reported that more than that number has been killed. Various international media outlets have said that 3,224 police officers have been victims of killings; if you want, I can send that to you. The actual number of those killed is still a matter for investigation.”

When asked about the fatalities from July and August, he said: “The killings in July and August—killings are still happening. I haven’t heard anyone talk about these. Are these not considered killings?”

The presenter then inquired, “Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has incited the Chhatra League and police; numerous videos show police shooting indiscriminately. On what grounds do you deny or plan to deny these responsibilities?”

Hasan said, “Firstly, when the police are attacked, do they not have the right to defend themselves? There have been continuous killings of police, which you have seen. Police vehicles have been surrounded and brutally attacked, and shots have been fired at the police. It’s not that the police did not fire in self-defence; they definitely did.”

“For that reason, we never deny the responsibilities of the police, nor do we deny the responsibilities of the government side. I am not denying that either. Of course, those in power must take responsibility.”

Hasan also claimed that more than 100 leaders and activists of the Chhatra League and Awami League were killed before Aug 5.

ALLOWING THE QUOTA MOVEMENT TO GROW WAS A MISTAKE

Hasan expressed his personal opinion that allowing the quota reform movement to intensify was a mistake, saying: “There was significant support for it from the beginning.”

He added, “If we had found a solution to this issue without leaving it entirely to the courts, I believe it would have been better. Letting it go this far was indeed a mistake.”

Regarding the ongoing discussions about “international conspiracies” behind the government’s downfall, the former foreign minister remarked: “As part of an international conspiracy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated along with his family. The four national leaders were also killed.”

He said, “There were both domestic and foreign conspiracies; it’s not that we didn’t understand this. Conspiracies have always existed, and we have always been aware of them. We were informed, and the events of Aug 5 occurred through these domestic and international conspiracies.”

[Writing in English by Arshi Fatiha Quazi]