NEW DELHI/DHAKA – As Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge of an interim government, former premier Hasina Wajid is hoping for returning to Bangladesh to contest general elections.

It was Sajeeb Wazeed Joy – her US-based son – who revealed the plan with the Times of India.

The former prime minister is the chief of Awami League, a role she inherited from her Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. But her party isn’t part of the interim government.

Earlier on Monday, she decided to resign from her office and fled to India after the protests triggered over the job quota issue turn violent.

“For the time being, she is in India. She will go back to Bangladesh the moment the interim government decides to hold an election.”

“My mother would have retired from politics after the current term,” Joy told the Indian newspaper. However, he didn’t say whether Hasina Wajid is going to be a candidate.

“I never had any political ambition and was settled in the US. But the developments in the Bangladesh in the past few days show that there is a leadership vacuum. I had to get active for the sake of the party and I am at the forefront now,” Joy said.

RISING GDP, SHRINKING PURCHASING POWER

Bangladesh has witnessed an impressive growth rate during the 15-year-long stint of Hasina Wajid. The period saw the country becoming global hub of garment industry thanks to lower wages and production cost, which attracted international brands.

However, the widening rich and poor divide amid more and less stagnant wages resulted in a massive reduction in purchasing power. It naturally created anger among the masses at a time when Hasina Wajid – once a democracy icon – opted for an authoritarian model.

Meanwhile, the economic crisis forced Hasina Wajid to seek a $4.7 billion IMF program. But the move carried disastrous political consequences thanks to the harsh conditions attached to the loan.

Amid an unprecedented cost of living crisis, the IMF bailout package meant a massive rise in fuel and energy prices, which pushed many below the poverty line.

Moreover, the Awami League government decided to suppress the latest student protesters. But the crackdown further fueled the anti-government sentiments.

That’s why the people got fed up with the government policies. But Hasina failed to gauge public sentiments, as people started calling for Hasina Wajid’s resignation.

DESTINATION UK?

Hasina Wajid is currently housed in a safe house in New Delhi area. There are media reports about her plans to seek asylum in the United Kingdom. However, the British Home Office has declined to comment.

On Thursday, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar reportedly spoke to his British counterpart on issues related to Bangladesh. However, no details have so far been made public.

YUNUS RUNS THE SHOW

Thursday also saw Yunus taking charge of caretaker government. He is mainly tasked with bringing stability back to the country which witnessed some of its worst violence in decades and then hold fresh parliamentary elections.

“The brutal, autocratic regime is gone,” Yunus said in a televised address to the nation.

“Tomorrow, with the rising sun, democracy, justice, human rights, and full freedom of fearless expression will be enjoyed by all, regardless of party affiliation. That is our goal.”