Awami League leaders and activists, now in exile following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh amid a mass uprising on August 5, are eagerly awaiting the results of the upcoming US presidential election, scheduled for November 5.
Their optimism grew following a recent post by former US President Donald Trump, who strongly condemned violence against minorities in Bangladesh and criticized the Biden-Harris administration in a Diwali message on Thursday night.
"I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos," Trump posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“It would never have happened on my watch,” he added.
The Awami League shared this message on its official social media handles shortly after its release. Party leaders and activists were seen distributing the message, which was translated into Bengali. They believe a Trump victory in the US presidential election could improve prospects for the Awami League’s return to politics in Bangladesh.
This correspondent spoke with several central leaders of the Awami League and former members of Sheikh Hasina’s cabinet to understand their sense of “hope” after Trump’s message on Thursday night.
Several leaders, now in exile in India, who requested anonymity, explained that the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, has close ties with the Democratic Party in the US.
During a recent visit to the US for the UN General Assembly, Dr Yunus attended a Clinton Foundation event, where he introduced his special assistant, Mahfuz Abdullah, and several young people as key figures in the “July revolution,” describing it as a well-organized movement.
In his remarks, Dr Yunus thanked the Clinton Foundation for its support and appealed for its continued assistance in building a new Bangladesh.
A former cabinet member of Sheikh Hasina’s government commented: “Dr Yunus has a strong connection with the Clinton Foundation, which has brought him support from Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and the Biden administration. If Trump wins, and Republicans take control, we have good relations with Trump and key Republicans.”
Another central Awami League leader, who fled the country after August 5 and now resides in India, mentioned on Thursday night that many leaders are preparing to return to Bangladesh after November 5.
He added: “After August 5, almost 100,000 Awami League leaders and supporters, including former Ministers, MPs, businessmen, and high government officials, left the country, managed to cross the border, and took shelter in India.
“We now have nearly ten million leaders and supporters hiding across Bangladesh since August 5, living like refugees in their own country to avoid arrest or mob violence,” he continued.
Awami League leaders confirmed that they are all awaiting a chance to return to Bangladesh, contingent on the US election results, which they hope will lead to a shift in Bangladesh's situation.
Referring to a leaked phone conversation, an Awami League online activist now in Nepal said: “In a conversation with a Bangladeshi diaspora member, Sheikh Hasina instructed them to work for Donald Trump for the upcoming election. In several phone conversations, Sheikh Hasina said that she could enter the country anytime as she is staying close to Bangladesh, and in the last phone conversation, Sheikh Hasina mentioned she may enter as early as December.”
A former central Awami League leader and ex-state minister under Sheikh Hasina’s government added: “Currently, we have no direct orders from the number one. She’s been communicating through phone conversations, some of which have been leaked.”
“In her latest message, Sheikh Hasina mentioned that she has not resigned as Prime Minister and that no official proof of her resignation exists. So, we are all waiting for her instructions now,” he said.
Though an interim government assumed power following the mass uprising in Bangladesh, ending the Awami League’s 15-year rule, the party’s leaders believe that the current US administration supported the July-August movement. For this reason, they are hoping that a change in the US regime will allow them to implement their plans for a comeback.
