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Joy ready to enter politics

FE REPORT | Saturday, 10 August 2024


Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of the immediate-past premier Sheikh Hasina, on Friday said he was ready to enter politics in Bangladesh.
"I'll do whatever it takes to save the [Awami League] party and its workers," he told the Times of India over phone from his residence in Washington.
Immediately after the resignation of her mother as head of government on August 05, Mr Joy said he had no intention to join politics.
Claiming that his mother had no plan to seek asylum in any country, he said, "For the time being, she is in India. She will go back to Bangladesh the moment the interim government decides to hold an election…"
"I am thankful to PM Narendra Modi for saving my mother's life at such short notice," he continued.
"We have the largest supporter base in Bangladesh," Mr Joy told the Indian daily.
On Thursday, his sister Saima Wazed also made it clear that she would continue in her role as the regional director (RD) of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
"I had to get active for the sake of the party and I am at the forefront now," continued Mr Joy.
His statements came after former premier Khaleda Zia was released from house arrest and her son Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, was tipped to return home.
Following the assumption of interim power by Nobel laureate Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, Mr Joy said, "I'm sure the Awami League will take part in the election and we might even win."
"Heartbroken with the loss of lives in my country Bangladesh that I love. So heartbroken that I cannot see and hug my mother during this difficult time. I remain committed to my role as RD [of] WHO."
Ms Saima wrote these words on her 'X' handle.
In a post later, she wrote, "To everyone who has shown concern: as much as I would love to see ma, I don't want to compromise her whereabouts in any way."
Meanwhile, Mr Joy laid emphasis on the need for "introspection".
"There definitely were mistakes. When you run a country, a lot of decisions are made every day. Awami League believes in introspection and we were ready for that. But we did not get a chance to do that this time. We never realised the situation would escalate so fast even after accepting their demands."
Mr Joy further said that the BNP-Jamaat alliance would not be able to save the minorities.
If the Awami League is not in power, the eastern border of India will not be secure. If BNP and Jamaat are in alliance, Jamaat will not refrain from militancy, according to him.
Mr Joy made the comment requesting India to mount pressure on Bangladesh to hold an election soon.

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