In the wake of escalating political unrest, numerous high-profile leaders of the ruling Awami League have reportedly fled the country, with many seeking refuge in India and other nations. Sources confirm that the Bangladeshi government facilitated the departure of several top officials, raising concerns over accountability and leadership during a time of national crisis.
Among those who fled are Sheikh Helal Uddin, former Member of Parliament (MP) and cousin of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, along with his son, Sheikh Sarhan Naser Tonmoy, and his brother, Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel. The group includes other prominent figures such as former MP Abul Hasanat Abdullah and his son, former mayor of Barisal, Sadiq Abdullah.
Former government ministers, including Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Local Government Minister Tajul Islam, and Fisheries Minister Abdur Rahman, have also been spotted in various parts of India. Reports suggest that many leaders left the country as mass protests and a student-led uprising intensified across Bangladesh, challenging the legitimacy of the Awami League’s leadership.
Amid this political turmoil, additional figures are believed to have sought asylum in other countries. Former Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud has reportedly traveled to Belgium, while former Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed and others are said to have fled to London. Additionally, former Youth and Sports Minister Nazmul Hasan Papon was already in London when the crisis peaked.
The flight of these top leaders has left the government in disarray as public demands for reform grow louder. The opposition has condemned these actions as a “complete abdication of responsibility,” accusing the government of neglecting its duty to the people during a time of national upheaval.
As more leaders continue to leave the country, the future of the Awami League’s leadership and Bangladesh’s political stability remains uncertain.
