Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reportedly planned to transfer power to then-Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in early August, with the military enforcing a lockdown to stabilize the situation. Indian news outlet The Hindu reported this on Friday.

In an exclusive interview with the outlet, ousted Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel stated, “We were in Ganabhaban, constantly strategizing how to resolve the protests. Some believed that an abrupt resignation by the former prime minister could destabilize law and order, which is why the lockdown plan was devised.”

In early July 2024, Dhaka’s political landscape shifted dramatically. During a visit to China, Hasina’s government faced a massive student-led movement demanding her resignation. As the protests intensified, Hasina directed Nowfel to engage with student representatives leading the anti-discrimination movement. However, the demonstrations escalated, forcing her into hiding.

Nowfel expressed that the future of the interim government would largely depend on the stance of the incoming Trump administration in the United States. “Dr. Muhammad Yunus had supported Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. I’m certain Trump’s inauguration on January 20 will influence the interim government’s prospects,” he noted.

Criticizing the interim administration led by Dr. Yunus, Nowfel alleged its failure to maintain law and order. He further argued that Bangladesh’s security challenges should not be viewed in isolation from global conflicts, particularly those in West Asia.

Nowfel also highlighted the growing economic and industrial instability due to the lack of improvement in law and order over the past five months. He warned, “The interim government has no authority to make fundamental constitutional changes or determine the ideological trajectory of Bangladesh.”