News Desk: Bangladesh's political transition in August 2024 has come under fresh scrutiny after Shafiqul Alam, former press secretary to interim government chief Muhammad Yunus, claimed that plans to replace former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had been discussed even before she left the country.
In a Facebook post, Alam alleged that student leaders involved in the 2024 anti-government movement had approached Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus two days before Hasina was forced to leave Dhaka on August 5, 2024. According to him, the student leaders wanted Yunus to head an interim administration after the fall of Hasina's government.
Alam also claimed that a journalist named Qadaruddin Shishir, who was then associated with the fact-checking team of Agence France-Presse (AFP) in Dhaka, played an important role in connecting the student leaders with Yunus.
Describing the alleged discussions as a highly secretive operation, Alam said Shishir acted as a bridge between the two sides and facilitated their initial conversations. He claimed that only a small group of trusted individuals knew about the discussions at the time.
According to Alam, the first contact with Yunus took place while Hasina was still in power. He further claimed that the country's security agencies had no knowledge of these discussions.
Alam also praised Shishir for maintaining secrecy while documenting evidence of violence during the protests. However, the claims about the alleged advance planning have not been independently established in the account.
What Happened After Hasina's Ouster?
Sheikh Hasina left Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, following weeks of student-led protests and violent clashes across the country. An interim administration headed by Muhammad Yunus took charge on August 8, 2024.
The political situation remained tense during the interim administration's tenure. In 2025, a special tribunal tried Hasina in absentia and sentenced her to death. The interim government also disbanded her Awami League party and sought her extradition from India.
Hasina has repeatedly accused the Yunus administration of political persecution, claiming that those responsible for violence were not being held accountable while cases were pursued against Awami League members. These allegations have been disputed amid Bangladesh's continuing political tensions.
Yunus Faces Protest During US Visit
Recently, Muhammad Yunus also faced protests at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport during his visit to the United States. People identified as supporters of the disbanded Awami League reportedly shouted slogans against him, accusing his administration of responsibility for violence in Bangladesh.
The latest claims by Alam have brought renewed attention to the events surrounding Hasina's removal from power and the political developments that followed in Bangladesh.
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