In a bombshell Facebook post late on Thursday night that instantly went viral, Hasnat Abdullah, one of the key leaders of the uprising that overthrew Sheikh Hasina and now the chief organiser (South) of the newly-formed National Citizens Party (NCP), alleged that under the stewardship of India, a plot is being hatched to rehabilitate the Awami League.

In the post, Hasnat divulged details of a key meeting held at the Cantonment on March 11, between himself and two others from NCP with presumably military leadership, where a proposal was put forward to them to bring back the AL to mainstream politics. He wrote:

"On 11 March, at 2:30pm, this plan was presented to me and two others at the Cantonment. It was proposed that in exchange for negotiated seat sharing (at the next election), we should accept this offer. We were told that the same proposal was put forward to multiple political parties  — and, subject to certain conditions, they had agreed to the rehabilitation of the Awami League. It was suggested that having multiple opposition parties alongside a weak Awami League would be better than just one opposition party. As a result, over the past two days, you will notice that many politicians in the media have been speaking in favour of the Awami League."

He said the move was being orchestrated by India, and the plan was to have ex-MP Saber Hossain Chowdhury, ex-speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, and ex-mayor of Dhaka South Fazle Noor Taposh as the faces of what would amount to a ‘Refined Awami League’.

Hasnat continued, "We were further told that from April-May onwards, this 'Refined Awami League,' would start admitting to the crimes of the Sheikh family, reject Hasina, and promise to reestablish the Awami League of Bangabandhu in front of the public."

Confidence in elections hinges on reforming current administration: Hasnat Abdullah

Hasnat said they immediately rejected the proposal and informed their interlocutors that instead of rehabilitating the Awami League, they should be working towards bringing them to justice.

"In response, we were told that if we object to the return of the Awami League, we would be responsible for the crisis it creates in the country, and that  'Awami League must come back,'" he continued.

Hasnat further wrote, "At one stage of the discussion, I asked, 'How can you forgive a party that has not yet apologised or confessed to its crimes?' Angrily, the other side responded, 'You people know nothing. You lack wisdom and experience. We have been in this service for at least forty years, longer than you’ve been alive. Moreover, without the Awami League, there can be no 'inclusive' election.'"

Hasnat said they didn’t compromise, instead telling the other party "There can be no inclusivity with the Awami League. If the Awami League is to return, it will be over our dead bodies. If an attempt is made to bring back the Awami League, you will be responsible for the crisis that will arise."

The meeting then wrapped up with the issue left unresolved.

Hasnat went on to write that during the July-August movement last year, they also received various proposals but instead of listening to any of them, they put their faith in the people, and with their support, brought about the downfall of Awami League.

He said resisting any pressure from the Cantonment, they would like to do so again today, on the question of banning Awami League, on which he said there could be no compromise.

"Today, if I again have your support, if I find you by my side on the streets, we will once again be able to reject this Indian conspiracy of rehabilitating the Awami League," he wrote.

Hasnat’s post sparked an immediate reaction, as a group of Dhaka University students held  held a procession on the campus in the small hours of Friday, demanding the ban of Awami League. They also announced to reconvene in front of the Raju Sculpture on Friday afternoon to press home their demand.

Hasnat reiterates strong stance against media biased towards fascism

Meanwhile Jamaat e Islami chief Dr ShafIqur Rahman, in an early morning post on Friday on his verified Facebook page, seemed to add his voice to Hasnat’s in this regard for the first time, with a statement titled “The public will not accept the rehabilitation of the Awami League.”

Without calling directly for the Awami League to be banned, he emphasised bringing them to justice as the number one priority in front of the nation right now.

He urged all sides to remain united in this goal.