DATELINE DHAKA: The Bangladesh armed forces neither betrayed Sheikh Hasina nor have any desire to grab power, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of the ousted Prime Minister, has claimed.

Speaking to The Telegraph from Washington D.C., Joy said: “The armed forces didn’t betray her.... The army played its role. General Waker-uz-Zaman remained loyal to her.”

An interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, will take oath on Thursday, Zaman said on Wednesday. Addressing a news conference, Zaman said the interim government was likely to be sworn in at 8pm on Thursday. (See Page 2)

The clean chit to the armed forces from Hasina’s family assumes significance amid speculation about their role in the veteran leader’s fall in the wake of protests against the Awami League government that plunged Bangladesh into an unprecedented political crisis.

As tens of thousands of people marched towards Ganabhaban on Monday demanding an end to Hasina’s regime, she resigned in the presence of the chiefs of the army, navy and air force and flew to India. Later, in an address to the nation, Zaman announced Hasina’s resignation and said an interim government would be formed to steer the country out of the crisis.

“The army informed my mother about its inability to prevent the sea of people marching on the roads of Dhaka.... They told her the reality. What they did thereafter (by allowing her exit and then playing a role in the formation of an interim government) proved the army’s lack of desire for power,” Joy said.

Given the history of Bangladesh, which has witnessed several coups and counter-coups, the army’s decision to be on the sidelines is commendable.

Besides, Joy has always maintained that one of the biggest achievements of his mother was restoring order in the armed forces and restricting them to the barracks.

In an interview with this correspondent during the tumultuous November of 2013, when speculation of an army takeover was rife because of the political upheaval, Joy had said: “Right now, there is no general or officer who has the appetite for a coup attempt.”

While he heaped praises on the army, Joy — an IT professional by training — didn’t hide his disappointment with the people of Bangladesh, especially the educated ones.

“My mother did so much for the country. Our family had made such sacrifices (Joy’s grandfather, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with his immediate family were killed in the bloodiest coup of the subcontinent in August 1975). But people did not come out in support of her.... Their only objective was to oust her. Even educated people wanted her out,” Joy rued on Wednesday.

Joy added: “After all this, my mother told me, I am done.... She will not return to the country ever. No one from the Sheikh family either.”

Asked if this reaction was unbecoming of someone belonging to a political family, Joy said: “Yes, you can say that.... But see what has been done to her. They have made her look like a villain.”

The quota protests, which snowballed into a rebellion against Hasina, have damaged Brand Hasina. Reports in the media said she mishandledthe crisis, which resulted in the death of hundreds of people, including students and babies.

The scenes of celebrations across the country after her resignation prompted observers to wonder whether it was the fall of a democratically elected Prime Minister or a dictator.

“It was unfortunate that people died during the protest but how many of them were students? See the role of the BNP and the Jamaat during the protest. Look at the death toll after she left the country and what’s happening across Bangladesh due to the BNP and Jamaat,” Joy said, referring to the current state of lawlessness.

On whether Bangladesh could make a new beginning, Joy didn’t sound optimistic. “Governing a country and filling a vacuum are not that easy.... My mother had faced a similar situation and turned the country’s fortunes. Now, they will taste the challenges,” he added, referring to reports about the delay in forming the interim government due to differences among those who fought together to bring down Hasina.

Several observers in Bangladesh have begun writing the political obituary of the Awami League amid speculation about the timing of fresh elections.

“In all likelihood, they will not allow the Awami League to participate in the elections.... But I can tell you that the Awami League will survive in the long run,” Joy said.

The 53-year-old, who had always swatted away possibilities of becoming Hasina’s political heir, said it was too early to comment on whether he would play a role in reviving the political fortunes of the party. “Right now, my priority is to protect our party leaders and supporters, who are being killed indiscriminately.”

Joy said it was a relief that her mother and aunt Sheikh Rehana could leave the country unharmed. He, however, didn’t comment on Hasina’s next destination.

Asked about the role in which he wants to see Hasina, the longest-serving Prime Minister of Bangladesh, he said: “I see her coming to visit my daughter, spend time with my sister’s kids and other nephews and nieces... More time with the family.”

‘Not going anywhere’

In a late evening video message on Facebook, Joy tweaked his position to some extent. Excerpts from his message: “I had earlier said, our family will not be involved in politics anymore. But let me say now that at a time vandalism is going on everywhere and the minorities are under attack, we cannot leave Bangladesh in a crisis like this. We believe that if democracy has to berestored, the Awami League has to play an importantrole.

“I want to assure (the people) that we haven’t gone anywhere... We are ready to do whatever we can to save the country and the party.... I want to tell those who are assuming power that we are willing to cooperate with them if they shun terrorism and communalism.”