Speculation mounts: Is Awami League planning an exiled government in India?

A coordinator from the anti-discrimination student movement has suddenly announced that Awami League leaders and activists are gathering in India‍‍`s northeastern city Agartala of the Tripura state, to declare an exiled government. 

Following this information, widespread discussions have begun. Leaders and activists from the Awami League, along with its allied and fraternal organizations, are talking about it, and there is also discussions within the other parties. 

However, the question remains: is the Awami League actually going to form an exiled government? Will they declare another government on Indian soil like they did during Bangladesh‍‍`s liberation war?

Abdul Hannan, the central coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, initiated the discussion about an exiled government in Agartala. 

On Saturday, at an event in Noakhali, he stated that Awami League leaders from the Noakhali, Comilla, and Feni regions are gathering to hold a meeting and prepare for a rally in Agartala, India. 

From this rally, they intend to announce an exiled government, and there is intelligence suggesting that Sheikh Hasina may attend and give a speech.

Not only Abdul Hannan, but another coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, Hasnat Abdullah, also hinted at the formation of an exiled government during an event in Comilla on the same day. 

He mentioned that they have received reports that Awami League leaders and activists are attempting to gather at the border with Tripura. However, he warned that this effort is unlikely to succeed.

After the statements from these two coordinators, discussions about forming an exiled government have gained significant traction. However, leaders from the Awami League have completely dismissed such possibilities.

To learn more, the New York-based Bengali news outlet NYBangla Life reached out to two central leaders of the Awami League currently in Kolkata, West Bengal. 

They rejected the notion of forming an exiled government, stating that Sheikh Hasina has not resigned. According to the constitution and laws, she is still the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and will act as the situation stabilizes.

One leader, who serves as an organising secretary and was a state minister but spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, "If there were plans to form an exiled government, we would have known. Nothing of the sort has been communicated to us."

When asked what instructions had been given from the Awami League, the leader replied that they have been told to remain quiet for now and that nothing can be done at the moment.

When questioned about the exiled government, Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim stated that according to the constitution of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina is still the Prime Minister. 

"She has not resigned. Certain groups have made many attempts to claim that she has resigned, but they have failed to provide any proof," he said.

Both central leaders of the Awami League were asked by NYBangla Life if they were in Tripura, to which they replied that they are currently in Kolkata.

On August 5, Sheikh Hasina sought refuge in India amid widespread deadly protests. Since then, reports indicate that she has remained there. 

বাংলা প্রতিবেদনটি পড়ুনঃ সত্যি কি প্রবাসী সরকার গঠন করবে আওয়ামী লীগ?

The Indian government has confirmed that they are providing her refuge. After leaving the country on August 5, the army chief, General Waker-uz-Zaman, announced that Sheikh Hasina had resigned from her position as Prime Minister.

Following a political shift, a new interim government has been formed under the leadership of Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Subsequently, several cases have been filed against Sheikh Hasina in the International Crimes Tribunal, and arrest warrants have been issued against her.

However, the Indian government has stated that Sheikh Hasina is in India and will remain there, making it clear that she will not be extradited to Bangladesh for trial.