Bangladesh President Dissolves Parliament, Frees Former PM Zia
Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved parliament on Tuesday, setting the stage for an interim government a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country amid a violent crackdown on a student-led uprising.
A statement from President Shahabuddin’s office also announced the release of Hasina’s arch-rival, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, a former prime minister, from house arrest. Student protesters had demanded the dissolution of parliament and threatened further demonstrations if their demands were not met.
The decision followed meetings with defense force leaders, political party heads, student leaders, and civil society representatives, according to the presidential statement.
Hasina’s departure on Monday ended her 15-year second stint in power. She had ruled the country for 20 of the past 30 years, following in the political footsteps of her father, state founder Mujibur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1975.
Bangladesh’s army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, is scheduled to meet with student leaders to discuss the formation of an interim government, which is expected to oversee upcoming elections. Zaman announced Hasina’s resignation on Monday.
Hasina has fled to India and is currently staying at a safe house outside New Delhi.
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