The interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus in Bangladesh is preparing to restrict the political participation of the Awami League, the party of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed. According to a report by The Daily Star, the Awami League and its allies may face both legal and administrative barriers that prevent them from engaging in political activities. Mahfuj Alam, a student activist and special assistant to chief adviser Yunus, confirmed this development during a press briefing in Dhaka on Sunday.

Alam stated, "Those who have participated in the last three elections and came to parliament through deceit will face obstacles to their political participation." This follows a dialogue involving 10 political parties with Yunus, where several of these groups pushed for the Awami League and its allies to be banned from upcoming national elections. However, it should be noted that 14 parties aligned with the Awami League were not involved in these discussions.

Alam clarified that the decision to block the Awami League from contesting elections would not be made solely by the government. "A consensus will be reached after consultation with various political parties," he explained. Interestingly, both Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, longstanding rivals of the Awami League, have rejected the idea of banning the party. BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated, "Unlike Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League, we do not believe in banning political parties to settle political scores. We want the Awami League to contest elections, and we will defeat them through democratic means."

Earlier in September, a writ petition seeking to disqualify the Awami League and revoke its registration over its involvement in the deaths of students during recent protests was dismissed by the Dhaka High Court. However, the International Crimes Tribunal issued arrest warrants on October 17 for Hasina and 45 Awami League members, accusing them of crimes against humanity linked to the recent political unrest.

Yunus Mirroring Hasina's Approach?

Muhammad Yunus, who assumed the role of chief adviser to the interim government on August 8, had initially vowed to restore stability and rebuild trust in Bangladesh's governance and judicial systems. Yet, the move to limit the Awami League’s political activity is reminiscent of tactics employed by Sheikh Hasina herself, who was known for cracking down on opposition parties during her time in office.

Hasina, who held power from 2009 until her removal in 2024, was frequently accused of jailing opposition leaders, dispersing protests with force, and engaging in electoral misconduct. Her political rival, Khaleda Zia, repeatedly accused Hasina of vote rigging in both the 2014 and 2018 elections. Zia was disqualified from running in the 2019 elections following her 2018 conviction on corruption charges.

Jamaat-e-Islami, a key player in Bangladesh's politics, was also barred from contesting elections in 2013, after a court ruled that the party’s religious principles were incompatible with Bangladesh’s secular constitution.

The Awami League, which has been a significant force in the country’s political history since its formation in 1949, was instrumental in the struggle for Bangladesh’s independence from West Pakistan in 1971. It has governed the country for 28 of its 53 years of independence and had remained in power for three consecutive terms under Hasina until her ousting this year.

Controversies Surround the Interim Government

Since Yunus took office in August, his administration has found itself increasingly embroiled in controversy. Concerns have grown over the government’s approach to the upcoming elections, with BNP’s senior joint secretary general, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, criticizing the interim administration for failing to provide a clear election timeline. Nevertheless, the Yunus government has reiterated that elections will take place soon, with plans to form a search committee tasked with selecting a new chief election commissioner and other officials.

Another point of contention has been Yunus's comments about the need for a "reset" in Bangladesh. During an interview with Voice of America, Yunus remarked that the country required a reset, which sparked significant debate. His office later clarified that this reset would not affect the foundational legacy of the 1971 Liberation War, which remains central to Bangladesh’s identity.

In a controversial move, the interim government has also canceled national holidays commemorating Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country’s founding leader and Hasina’s father. The Awami League has accused the Yunus administration of attempting to erase the historical significance of the Liberation War, further escalating tensions between the interim government and the party.

As Yunus's interim government continues to navigate these politically sensitive issues, the direction it will take remains uncertain, and the country watches closely as it prepares for its next chapter.