Awami League leaders living in various Western countries are moving to India one after another as deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina plans to return to Bangladesh in December. Many have begun gathering in Kolkata in the hope of returning home alongside Hasina.
Apart from those who have recently arrived in Kolkata from Western countries, many other party leaders living abroad are also preparing to return to Bangladesh on the day Hasina comes home.
Two AL presidium members, a joint general secretary and two organising secretaries, who have been staying in Kolkata for more than two years, confirmed the development to TIMES.
In an interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday, Hasina reiterated her intention to return home in December. She said she could be arrested upon arrival and that her death sentence could even be carried out. Asked whether she was seeking help from India or the United States to ensure her security, she said she had not sought assistance from any foreign power. She was prepared to accept whatever fate awaited her, whether arrest or death.
Speaking to party leaders, TIMES learnt that Hasina, who was ousted during a mass uprising in 2024, may announce the date and roadmap for her return at a virtual press conference with journalists from Western media outlets in mid-November or towards the end of the month. She would join the London event. Party leaders and activists are now waiting for the announcement.
A leader based in London said details of the press conference would be announced next week once all preparations were complete.
Leaders who have recently moved to Kolkata from Western countries are regularly meeting senior party figures already based there and attending several meetings.
Those taking part include presidium members Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Jahangir Kabir Nanok, AKM Mozammel Haque and Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya; Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim; former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal; Mirza Azam; former organising secretary Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury; Sujit Roy Nandi; and central leader Sheikh Helal Uddin.
The participants also include former MPs Mrinal Kanti Das, Asim Kumar Ukil, Alauddin Ahmed Chowdhury Nasim and Nizam Uddin Hazari; Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil; and Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan.
They are discussing various organisational programmes.
Meanwhile, presidium member Abdur Rahman, former minister and former organising secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, former Narayanganj MP Shamim Osman and former Chhatra League president Liakat Sikdar are among those who have recently arrived in Kolkata.
Abdur Rahman told TIMES, “Everyone is staying there, waiting for the leader’s decision to return home.”
Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said, “Several thousand leaders and activists living abroad are ready to return home together. Everyone is waiting for Sheikh Hasina’s announcement.”
Shamim Osman said, “The people of the country want Sheikh Hasina and are eagerly waiting for her return. She will return with thousands of leaders, activists and supporters. Everyone is coming together and making preparations for this.”
Former minister SM Rezaul Karim, meanwhile, has been travelling between London and Kolkata. Former minister Enamul Haque Shamim, former MP Nazrul Islam Babu, central Publicity and Publication Secretary Aminul Islam, and former minister Mohammad Ali Arafat are in the United States. Organising Secretary Abu Sayeed Al Mahmood Swapon is in London, Hasan Mahmud Chowdhury is in Belgium and Nasrul Hamid Bipu is in Thailand. They, too, may return to Kolkata at any time.
Earlier, leaders staying in Nepal moved to India and other countries because of various difficulties. They also want to return to Bangladesh through Kolkata.
However, uncertainty has emerged over the process of Hasina’s return following a government announcement. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has said the government will not issue her a travel pass or passport. The announcement has raised questions about how she will return home. Awami League leaders, however, say they have alternative arrangements but are unwilling to disclose what those are.
Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, former mayor of Sylhet City Corporation, who is based in London, said Hasina would return to Bangladesh in December even if the government did not issue a passport or travel pass to the daughter of Bangabandhu. He warned that the government would face a crisis of existence if it obstructed her return.
Apart from central leaders, many party leaders and activists from different districts are also staying in Kolkata. Several hundred activists at various levels have returned to Bangladesh and are working discreetly to carry out organisational programmes. They are maintaining online contact with activists in their respective areas and issuing instructions.
The party’s central leadership has instructed activists inside Bangladesh to take to the streets together on the day Hasina returns. However, the full plan has not been disclosed. Several district-level leaders told TIMES that Hasina herself would announce the details.
Although the Awami League’s activities are banned, leaders and activists at various levels of the party and its affiliated and associate organisations remain active online. They have been accused of involvement in various activities, including attempts to stage flash processions in the capital and elsewhere, attacks on police, cocktail explosions and incitement during garment workers’ movements.
