Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser (South) of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and a leading figure in the uprising that overthrew Sheikh Hasina, has made explosive allegations that India is backing a plan to rehabilitate the Awami League.
In a late-night Facebook post on Thursday (20 March), Hasnat claimed that he and two other NCP leaders were invited to an 11 March meeting at the cantonment, where they were urged to accept a negotiated seat-sharing arrangement with the Awami League in the next general elections.
He alleged that multiple political parties had already agreed to the proposal, which sought to bring back the AL as a weakened opposition force alongside other parties.
Hasnat, however, said he outright rejected the plan, instead insisting that Awami League leaders must be brought to justice rather than reintegrated into politics.
A "refined" Awami League without Hasina?
According to Hasnat, the plan, allegedly backed by India, involves presenting ex-MP Saber Hossain Chowdhury, ex-speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, and ex-mayor Fazle Noor Taposh as the faces of a rebranded "refined" Awami League. This faction would distance itself from the Sheikh family, publicly admit to past mistakes, and pledge to restore Bangabandhu’s original vision for the party.
“From April-May onwards, this 'Refined Awami League' will start admitting to the crimes of the Sheikh family, reject Hasina, and promise to reestablish the Awami League of Bangabandhu in front of the public," Hasnat wrote.
Hasnat alleged that when he and his colleagues rejected the proposal, they were warned that opposing the Awami League’s return would make them responsible for any ensuing political crisis.
He claimed that one of the officials at the meeting lashed out at him, saying: "You people know nothing. You lack wisdom and experience. We have been in this service for at least forty years, longer than you’ve been alive. Moreover, without the Awami League, there can be no 'inclusive' election."
The NCP leader claimed to have responded defiantly, declaring: "If the Awami League is to return, it will be over our dead bodies. If an attempt is made to bring back the Awami League, you will be responsible for the crisis that will arise."
Student protests erupt at DU
Hasnat’s revelations triggered an immediate public response. In the early hours of Friday, a group of Dhaka University students staged a procession, demanding a ban on the Awami League.
Protesters vowed to gather again at the Raju Sculpture on Friday afternoon to press home their demand.
Jamaat adds its voice
Meanwhile, Jamaat e Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, in an early morning Facebook post on Friday (21 March), lent his support to Hasnat’s stance.
While stopping short of calling for an outright ban, he stressed that bringing the Awami League leadership to justice must be the nation’s top priority.
"The public will not accept the rehabilitation of the Awami League," he wrote, calling on all factions to remain united in resisting external pressures.
With allegations of Indian interference, warnings from the military establishment, and renewed calls for justice over compromise, the battle for Bangladesh’s post-Hasina political landscape is intensifying.
Whether the Awami League can return to mainstream politics or face legal consequences remains a defining question for the country’s future.
