Reorganize Awami League with fresh faces, Sakhawat tells Hasina

Home Affairs Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain on Monday said that Awami League President Sheikh Hasina should reorganize her party with fresh faces.

Saying that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina left the country of her own accord and was not forced to do so, he invited her to return but cautioned her against causing any unrest.

Addressing Hasina directly, he said: "You have been mentioning that you plan to return to the country. But why did you leave in the first place? You left voluntarily. This is your country; you are welcome to come back. However, please refrain from stirring up trouble. If you do, it will only agitate people further. We respect you."

These remarks were made during a press conference at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday, following a meeting with leaders of the Hindu coalition.

Sakhawat said that after the fall of Jatiya Party leader Hussain Muhammad Ershad, he was given the option to either leave the country or go to jail. Ershad chose to go to jail.

He said: "You (Sheikh Hasina) should also return. Do not push the country towards chaos."

He further stated that no political party should be banned, as such actions are usually taken to serve specific agendas.

When asked about banning the Jamaat-e-Islami, he replied: "We have not done that. If the issue is referred back to the Ministry of Law from the Ministry of Home Affairs, they will make the decision."

The home affairs adviser also mentioned that a Political Party Act will be enacted, emphasizing that the country does not want a dictator but rather an accountable government. "Those who can engage in politics within this framework will do so, and those who cannot will not," he added.