As Bangladesh has almost transitioned from an interim government to a democratically elected, stable government, with the BNP sweeping the election results, the question of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s future has resurfaced. While it is yet to unfold whether Hasina will return to Bangladesh, the exiled PM’s son, Sajeeb Wazed, has signalled that he will possibly reach out to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), suggesting the lines of communication could open soon.

Calling BNP, Bangladesh’s ‘major party’, Wazeb hinted towards possible communication during an interview with a news media outlet, CNN-News18. During the interview, he said, “BNP is the major party in Bangladesh. We are going to reach out to them soon."

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Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League was barred from contesting the 13th parliamentary elections. As per Wazeb, given the ban on the Awami League, the current electoral landscape had effectively become an ‘open field’ for the BNP.

“It’s an open field for BNP in the elections because there is no real opposition and we are barred from fighting the elections," he said. “Awami League is not going anywhere because people of Bangladesh still love our party. We will make a comeback in Bangladesh," he said during the interview, adding that the country ‘developed the most under the Awami League.’

He further warned against the consequences of Jamat gaining influence. “Jamaat has very little support in Bangladesh. If Jamaat has a say in the Bangladesh parliament, then terrorism will continue in the country," Wazed said during the interview.

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BNP Secures Comfortable Victory Against Jamaat

Quoting a local TV news, Reuters reported that the BNP had won 151 seats in the 300-member parliament, while its candidates were leading in several other seats.

Voting ended at 4 pm, Indian time, on Thursday in Bangladesh. Vote counting is ongoing after the election. According to estimates released around 5 am, Friday, the BNP-led alliance won 151 seats, while the Jamaat-led alliance won 43.