Hasnat Abdullah, organiser of the National Citizens’ Party in the southern region, has alleged that India is conspiring to rehabilitate the Awami League under the name ‘Refined Awami League.’ He made this claim in a verified Facebook post on Thursday night.

In his post, Hasnat Abdullah wrote, "On 11 March, at 2:30 PM, I informed you all that there is a conspiracy to introduce a ‘Refined Awami League.’ This entire plan originates from India. The plan is being structured around figures like Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Shirin Sharmin, and Taposh. On 11 March, at 2:30 PM, this plan was presented to me and two others from the cantonment. We were offered a seat-sharing agreement in exchange for accepting this proposal."

He further claimed, "We were told that several political parties have already been approached with this offer, and they have conditionally agreed to Awami League’s rehabilitation. It was argued that having a weakened Awami League alongside multiple opposition parties is preferable to having a strong single opposition party. As a result, in the past two days, many politicians have begun making statements in favour of the Awami League in the media."

According to the post, "The figures involved in ‘Refined Awami League’ will start admitting the crimes of the Sheikh family from April to May. They will disown Sheikh Hasina and pledge to establish Bangabandhu’s Awami League. When we rejected this proposal, we were warned that any obstruction to Awami League’s return would create a national crisis, and we would have to bear responsibility for it. Their exact words were, ‘Awami League must come back.’"

During the discussion, Hasnat Abdullah asked, "How can you pardon a party that has neither apologised nor acknowledged its crimes?" He claimed that the other party responded angrily, saying, "You people know nothing. You lack wisdom and experience. We have been in this service for at least forty years—longer than your lifetime. Without Awami League, there can be no ‘inclusive’ election."

His firm response was, "There can be no inclusivity with Awami League. If you want to bring Awami League back, you must walk over our dead bodies. If you attempt to reinstate Awami League, you will have to bear the consequences of the crisis it will create." He stated that the meeting ended without resolution, and they left.

He further claimed, "During the July movement, we were also pressured to act in certain ways. Whether from agencies or the cantonment, various prescriptions were imposed upon us. However, we refused to bow down to those pressures and placed our trust in the people. With the support of the people, we ensured the downfall of Hasina. Today, once again, I choose to rely on you, the people, rejecting the pressure from the cantonment."

Hasnat Abdullah warned that after making this post, he may face pressure or even danger. However, he asserted, "There can be no compromise on the question of banning Awami League. During the July movement, we defied every prescription from the cantonment and agencies. If I once again receive your support, if I find you by my side on the streets, we will be able to thwart this Indian conspiracy to rehabilitate Awami League."

He concluded his statement with a rallying cry: "Let us set aside all hesitation and unite against Awami League. If Awami League is allowed to return to politics, the July movement will be in vain. As long as a single drop of blood remains in our veins, we will not let the sacrifices of our martyrs go in vain. In post-5 August Bangladesh, there is no room for Awami League’s comeback—it must be banned once and for all."