Ahsan Tasnim
Dhaka: Speculation about Bangladesh‘s political landscape is intensifying, particularly concerning the interim govt led by Muhammad Yunus, amid the possibility of Donald Trump winning the US presidency.
The interim govt, however, maintains that the outcome of the US election poses no threat to its operations. Press secretary Shafiqul Alam said, “Yunus is a global leader. So, whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump win the US election, there will be no challenge for our relationship with the US.”
Trump had recently characterised Bangladesh as being in a “total state of chaos”, condemning the “barbaric violence” against minorities such as Hindus and Christians. Observers suggest that if Trump is re-elected, Awami League might leverage its ties with PM Narendra Modi to restore its political standing. Trump emphasised his commitment to strengthening US-India relations in a recent Diwali message, stating, “Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend PM Modi.”
Alam clarified that Trump’s remarks on Bangladeshi minorities stem from domestic politics influenced by lobbyists. Alam said Bangladesh’s relationship with India is good and the interim govt wants to continue this good relationship.
Additionally, Awami League will observe Nov 3 as “Jail Killing Day” in honour of the memory of four national leaders assassinated in 1975, a tragic event following the murder of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Commemorative wreaths will be placed at the graves of the leaders in Dhaka and Rajshahi, as announced on the party’s Facebook page.
Meanwhile, Transparency International Bangladesh’s executive director, Iftekharuzzaman, highlighted the significant issue of money laundering, estimating that $12 billion to $15 billion is laundered annually from Bangladesh, primarily through trade-based methods, and emphasised the complexity in recovering these funds.