'Political Stunt': BNP Slams Sheikh Hasina's Demand for Passport and NID
The BNP rejects ousted PM Sheikh Hasina's request for her passport and NID, claiming it is a move to create instability in Bangladesh.
The political temperature in Bangladesh has spiked once again after ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently residing in India, requested the return of her passport and National Identity (NID) card. The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has swiftly dismissed the move, labeling it a "political stunt" designed to mislead the public and incite instability within the nation.
The Request for Return
According to reports, Sheikh Hasina’s legal team at London-based Matrix Chambers submitted a formal letter to Preeti Rahman, the acting high commissioner at the Bangladesh Embassy in New Delhi. The letter requests the issuance of necessary documents to facilitate her planned return to Bangladesh in December.
This communication is particularly significant as it marks the first official move by the former Prime Minister since she fled the country in August 2024, following a violent mass uprising that brought an end to her 15-year tenure.
BNP's Fierce Reaction
The BNP has reacted with sharp criticism, asserting that the former leader has no future in the country's political landscape. Speaking to ANI, Khsirul Kabir Khokon, MP and Joint Secretary General of the BNP, stated that Hasina's actions are a desperate attempt to create chaos.
"Sheikh Hasina is making these moves, such as asking for her passport, to create instability. These actions have been rejected by the people of Bangladesh; she carried out mass killings in Bangladesh and took refuge in India," Khokon said.
The BNP leader emphasized that there is a strong national consensus against her return, citing her alleged involvement in crimes against humanity, abductions, and murders. He bluntly described her as a "dead horse" in the realm of Bangladeshi politics.
Stability and the Current Leadership
While dismissing Hasina's claims, the BNP highlighted the current leadership's efforts to stabilize the country. Khokon praised Tarique Rahman, describing him as an extremely popular leader who is steering the nation through a democratic process and actively fighting corruption.
The BNP believes that Hasina is unable to tolerate the positive changes occurring in Bangladesh and is therefore resorting to "baseless statements" and political maneuvers.
Legal Consequences Loom
The ruling party has made it clear that the legal machinery will continue to operate against the former Prime Minister. With accusations of serious offenses and human rights violations, the BNP maintains that legal action is the only path forward, regardless of her attempts to secure travel documents.