'She is still prime minister of Bangladesh': Sheikh Hasina's son says she never actually resigned

Sajeeb Wazed, long-time Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina’s son and adviser, said that his mother did not resign as prime minister before fleeing her country.

“My mother never officially resigned. She didn’t get the time,” he told Reuters from Washington on Saturday (August 10), adding that “as far as the constitution goes, she is still the prime minister of Bangladesh.”

Sheikh Hasina fled to India this week as anti-government protesters began marching on her official residence.

Wazed said that the president had dissolved parliament after consulting with military chiefs and opposition politicians. Instating a caretaker government without the prime minister formally resigning could be challenged in the court.

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He said his mother was ready to face trial back home, as demanded by the students who led the uprising.

“My mother has done nothing wrong. Just because people in her government did illegal things, did not mean my mother ordered it. That does not mean my mother is responsible for that.”

Hasina has sought shelter in New Delhi since Monday after an uprising that resulted in the deaths of about 300 people, many of whom were students, ending her 15-year uninterrupted rule in the country.

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Wazed did not say who in the government was responsible for allowing the shooting of people during the protests.

He did shift the blame to police officers, saying that his mother did not order them to shoot anyone.

“Those who are responsible, they should be brought to justice. My mother absolutely did not order anyone to commit violence against the protesters. The police were trying to stop the violence, but some police officers used excessive force,” he said.

Wazed said that Hasina’s government suspended the police officers that shot at students.

Additionally, Wazed told Reuters that Hasina’s Awami League party would contest the next election.

“I’m confident the Awami League will come to power. If not, we will be the opposition. Either way is fine,” he said.

He demanded that the elections be held within three months’ time.

With inputs from Reuters