In a dramatic and unexpected move, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reportedly instructed leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Awami League – now scattered across India, Malaysia, the Gulf states, Europe, North America and beyond – to begin taking “mental preparations” for returning to Bangladesh, even if it means imprisonment.

The message, delivered through a virtual interaction and circulated via a press release attributed to party insiders, marks the most confrontational posture adopted by Hasina since the political upheaval of August 5, 2024 forced her into exile. Her directive was blunt: those unwilling to face legal consequences upon return may find themselves excluded from the party when it regains its organizational footing. This was not merely a call for resilience. It was a test of loyalty.

For eighteen months, the Awami League’s external leadership has largely operated in reactive mode – issuing statements, granting written interviews, and criticizing the February 12 general election from afar. But Hasina’s latest message signals a shift from rhetorical opposition to political confrontation.

During the reported virtual meeting, party leaders described the recent election as a “staged drama”. Hasina allegedly expressed visible anger at foreign observers who publicly endorsed the polls as free and fair. According to sources, she accused certain observers of offering contradictory assessments after returning home – endorsing the process officially while privately criticizing it.

Her remarks reveal growing distrust toward sections of the international community and an acknowledgment that external endorsement alone cannot restore the Awami League’s........

© Blitz