Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has dismissed the Awami League’s prospects of returning to the political landscape in the short term amid an ongoing debate regarding the party’s participation in future elections.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Yunus, who was appointed chief adviser to the interim government after Sheikh Hasina fled the country in the face of a student-led mass uprising in early August, accused the party of exhibiting ‘fascist characteristics’ during its 15 years in power.
He said that his government would await the verdict from the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)
before making any request to India for the extradition of Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina.

“In the short term, there is definitely no place for her — the Awami League has no place — in Bangladesh,” the Nobel Peace Prize laureate asserted. “They controlled the people, they controlled the political machinery, and they controlled the institutions to enhance their own interests. No fascist party should exist in a democratic system,” he added.
Critics of the Awami League, including political rivals and human rights advocates, have long accused the party of election rigging, extrajudicial killings, and the weaponisation of state institutions during Hasina’s 15 years in power, according to the report.

Since her departure, the debate has intensified over whether the Awami League should be temporarily suspended from politics, compelled to reform, or banned entirely.
While Yunus speculated on the potential fragmentation of the Awami League, he emphasised that his interim government would not dictate the future of Bangladesh’s oldest political party, as it is “not a political government”.

Instead, he believes any decision regarding the party’s participation in future elections should be reached by consensus among political parties.
“They must decide their political space,” he said.

The 84-year-old also stated that the government would wait until a domestic criminal tribunal reaches a verdict against Hasina and her associates before pursuing her repatriation.
Yunus confirmed that his government would seek Sheikh Hasina’s return to Bangladesh, but only after a verdict is issued by a domestic criminal tribunal, which recently issued an arrest warrant for her and 45 others.

Hasina is facing charges of mass murder related to her administration’s attempts to suppress the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in July, which are now before the International Crimes Tribunal.
The tribunal has recently issued arrest warrants for her and 45 others, raising speculation about her whereabouts and potential extradition.
“She is charged with crimes against humanity. When the verdict is issued, we’ll endeavour to secure her return through the extradition treaty with India. I don’t believe we have a case to pursue that before a verdict is delivered,” he explained.

His cabinet, which includes two student leaders, is preparing for an election. The government has already established ten reform commissions tasked with overhauling key institutions, including the judiciary, police, and civil service.

Yunus, who expressed no interest in entering politics or forming a political party, refrained from providing a specific timeline for the elections.
He stated, “Our role is to settle matters and implement a new reform agenda. Once preparations for the election are complete, we will consult with political parties.”
Addressing concerns over the safety of Hindus in the country, Yunus acknowledged some incidents of anti-Hindu violence and a “very small number” of fatalities, but maintained that these were targeted based on their affiliation with the Awami League, rather than their religious identity.

Yunus noted that the lack of support from New Delhi, a key partner in terms of shared projects and historical ties, had ‘hurt’ his government.
“We have sought to emphasise the fact that we are neighbours, we need each other, and we must have the best relationship that any two neighbours should have,” the chief adviser added.

Hasina’s extradition process will begin after conviction: CA press wing
Meanwhile, Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir said on Wednesday that the government will start the process of extradition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina once she is convicted in court.

“…there are cases against her [Sheikh Hasina]. The process of bringing her back to home will begin after the court verdict,” he told a press briefing at Foreign Service Academy, reports BSS.
Apurba said Bangladesh has an extradition treaty with India, so it is possible to bring her back to the country under the treaty.