DHAKA – Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved the Parliament today, ending Sheikh Hasina’s era as the nation’s leader after weeks of protests over the quota on government jobs forced her to flee to India.
The Parliament was established after the controversial January 7 national elections, which were boycotted by top opposition parties including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami.
Anadolu Agency reported that the president, in a statement, said the decision was taken after discussions with the chiefs of armed forces, leaders of political parties, representatives of the civil society, and leaders of the student-led protest movement.
The students gave a 24-hour deadline to dissolve the Parliament and announce an interim government.
The statement said Khaleda Zia, the main opposition leader and head of BNP, was also released.
The 78-year-old and two-time prime minister of Bangladesh was sentenced to 17 years in prison for corruption in 2018. – August 6, 2024