Dhaka, Bangladesh – Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s longest-serving prime minister and daughter of the nation’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, now faces an unfamiliar reality: exile from the country she once ruled. After her controversial ouster in 2024, the veteran leader resides abroad with no immediate plans to return. What led to her political downfall, and why is she staying away?
A Legacy Under Threat
Sheikh Hasina’s political career has been defined by resilience. Surviving the 1975 assassination of her father and most of her family, she returned to Bangladesh in the 1980s to lead the Awami League, eventually becoming PM in 1996. Over two decades, she drove economic growth, advanced women’s rights, and elevated Bangladesh’s global standing.
Yet her rule faced accusations of authoritarianism, electoral manipulation, and suppressing dissent. Critics highlight crackdowns on opposition groups, especially the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader, Khaleda Zia. The 2024 elections – boycotted by rivals over fairness concerns – proved the tipping point. Amid domestic unrest and international pressure, Hasina stepped aside, paving the way for a caretaker government.
Exile: Safety or Strategy?
Since her removal, Hasina has reportedly lived in London under diplomatic protection. Insiders suggest she avoids returning due to fears of legal action and political retaliation.
“Her priority is safety,” a senior Awami League source told NextMinuteNews. “The new administration is probing corruption and rights abuses under her rule. Coming back now would mean legal trouble.”
Health concerns also play a role. At 76, Hasina reportedly requires specialized medical care more accessible abroad. While allies call her exile temporary, analysts speculate she’s waiting for a safer political climate.
The Awami League’s Struggle
Without Hasina, the Awami League grapples with internal divisions. Some members demand her return, while others urge a leadership overhaul to regain public trust. Potential successors, including her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, lack her influence.
Meanwhile, opposition factions like the BNP are gaining traction. With Khaleda Zia also sidelined by illness, new leaders are emerging, reshaping Bangladesh’s political scene.
Global Response
Western nations, once critical of Hasina’s democratic record, now worry about instability in Bangladesh. Some experts predict pressure on Dhaka to negotiate a peaceful resolution, allowing Hasina a graceful exit without further turmoil.
Will Hasina Come Back?
For now, Sheikh Hasina remains in exile—a once-dominant leader now observing from afar. Whether she mounts a comeback or fades into history is uncertain, but her absence is undeniably transforming Bangladesh’s politics.
As a Dhaka analyst noted, “Hasina’s exile marks the end of an era.”
— Reporting by NextMinuteNews
