‘End of the Hasina Era?’: Sajeeb Wazed Joy Hints at Leadership Shift in Al Jazeera Interview

Speaking to journalist Sreenivasan Jain, Joy responded with "Probably so" when asked if this marked the conclusion of the 'Hasina Era,' explaining that at 78, his mother was already serving her final term and now wishes to return to Bangladesh only for retirement. Despite the current ban on the party's activities by the interim government, Joy asserted that the Awami League remains the country's oldest and largest political force with the support of nearly 40-50% of the population.

He dismissed allegations of systematic election rigging during their tenure, suggesting that any irregularities were the work of over-enthusiastic officials rather than party policy. Furthermore, Joy raised concerns over the mass arrest and custodial deaths of party activists under the current administration, warning that pushing such a large group of supporters into a corner could lead to inevitable violence. However, he firmly denied any involvement of the Awami League or Chhatra League in the recent murder of activist Sharif Osman Hadi, stating that the party currently lacks the capacity to carry out such actions.