Sheikh Hasina’s Political Legacy and Bangladesh’s Turbulent Transition: What Comes Next?

Sheikh Hasina: The End of an Era and the Echoes of Power

In the tumultuous landscape of Bangladeshi politics, few figures have loomed as large as Sheikh Hasina. For nearly two decades, her leadership shaped not only the country’s policies but also its very sense of stability. Yet, as 2025 draws to a close, the legacy of Hasina is being tested amid a dramatic change in leadership and a swirl of legal challenges, political maneuvering, and shifting alliances.

Hasina’s Ouster and the Rise of New Forces

Hasina’s fall from power in August 2024 was more than a routine transfer of office. It was the result of months of unrest, demonstrations, and a powerful July Uprising led by student movements and opposition groups. According to BSS News, these young leaders saw Hasina’s government as authoritarian, with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement (ADSM) playing a decisive role in her removal. Her exit ushered in an interim government under Mohammad Yunus, which has since shifted Bangladesh’s political trajectory, opening space for parties and actors once marginalized under the Awami League’s rule.

The repercussions for Hasina and her close associates were immediate. The former prime minister, once celebrated for her democratic credentials and international partnerships, was swiftly sentenced to death for crimes against humanity related to last year’s violent unrest, which left over 500 dead. Her family, too, has come under scrutiny, with her niece Tulip Siddiq—a British Labour MP—sentenced in absentia to two years in prison for allegedly leveraging her aunt’s influence to secure prime property outside Dhaka. Siddiq has denied all charges, calling the verdict a “kangaroo court,” and claims the evidence was forged. Both she and Hasina now live in exile, their reputations shadowed by allegations of corruption and political targeting by the new regime.

The Hasina Factor: Legal Battles, Exile, and International Fallout

Hasina’s reign was marked by significant economic reforms and a steady alliance with India. These ties, however, have been complicated by her ouster. India, which for decades put its trust in Hasina’s Awami League, now finds itself navigating an unfamiliar landscape. The extradition issue looms large, with Hasina’s legal fate remaining a sticking point in bilateral relations. The new Bangladeshi government, while tempering its rhetoric, has made it clear that unresolved issues with India—including Hasina’s case—should not freeze broader diplomatic efforts.

Internationally, Hasina’s legacy is a mix of admiration and controversy. Accusations of corruption swirl around her family and party, with reports of billions siphoned from Bangladesh into UK real estate and other assets. The National Crime Agency has frozen significant holdings linked to Awami League leaders. Yet, despite these allegations, Hasina remains a symbol—both of Bangladesh’s democratic aspirations and of the risks inherent in prolonged, personalized rule.

Political Realignment: The BNP’s Rise and the Challenge of Stability

In the vacuum left by Hasina’s departure, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has rapidly gained prominence. Led by the ailing Khaleda Zia, the BNP is now widely seen as the frontrunner in the upcoming February 2026 elections. Zia herself, once Hasina’s chief rival, is currently hospitalized in critical condition, her health watched closely by local and international medical teams. Her absence has not dulled the party’s momentum; if anything, it has amplified sympathy and support, as noted by Financial Express and echoed in public statements from student leaders who view Zia as a symbol of democratic perseverance.

India, wary of the resurgence of radical Islamist groups like Jamaat-e-Islami under interim chief Yunus, has begun to recalibrate its strategy. Prime Minister Modi’s public message of support for Khaleda Zia—expressing concern for her health and offering “all possible support”—signals Delhi’s intent to re-engage with the BNP, hoping to anchor stability and safeguard its interests in a changing Bangladesh.

Yet, the BNP faces its own challenges. Its former ally Jamaat-e-Islami, once banned for terror activities, is now a potent force, having won key student elections and exerting influence in the new political order. India’s diplomatic calculus is complicated: a BNP government is preferable to one dominated by Jamaat, whose pro-Pakistan stance and historic ties to Islamist militancy remain deeply troubling for Delhi.

Family, Exile, and the Battle for Reputation

Hasina’s family remains under a cloud. Tulip Siddiq’s legal troubles in Bangladesh, coupled with the freezing of assets and allegations of benefiting from Awami League patronage, have cast a long shadow over the extended Hasina clan. Siddiq’s career as a Labour MP in the UK has been marked by her attempts to distance herself from Bangladeshi politics, yet her familial and political connections make such separation nearly impossible. Her conviction, along with reports of vast sums of Bangladeshi money ending up in British property, has further inflamed criticism and raised questions about the intersection of diaspora politics and domestic accountability.

Despite living in exile, Hasina’s influence lingers. The Bangladeshi diaspora in the UK—once a bastion of support for the Awami League—now faces uncertainty, as the political machinery that propelled Siddiq and others to prominence is dismantled by the new regime. The interim government’s pursuit of Hasina’s allies is seen by some as politically motivated, while others argue it is a necessary reckoning after years of alleged abuse and corruption.

Uncertainty Ahead: The Road to the 2026 Elections

As Bangladesh approaches the 2026 general elections, the stakes could hardly be higher. Months of chaos, violence, and targeting of minorities have left scars on the national psyche. The student-led July Uprising demonstrated the power of youth and civil society to confront authoritarianism, but the transition remains fragile.

Security is tight across the country, with high-profile figures like Khaleda Zia designated “very, very important persons” and under special protection. The BNP, buoyed by public prayers and international concern for its leader, is consolidating support, while Tarique Rahman—Zia’s son and acting BNP chairman—hints at a possible return from exile in London to galvanize the party for the upcoming vote. The political landscape remains fluid, with questions swirling about alliances, possible comebacks, and the durability of democratic gains.

The shadow of Hasina’s legacy—her achievements, her controversies, her downfall—still hangs over Bangladesh. Whether her era is truly over, or whether her influence will be rekindled in unexpected ways, remains one of the central questions as the country navigates its uncertain future.

In sum, Sheikh Hasina’s exit marks a watershed moment for Bangladesh. The nation faces a delicate balancing act between reckoning with the past and forging a new political order. As the 2026 elections approach, the interplay of legacy, rivalry, and reform will determine whether Bangladesh can move beyond the polarizing forces of its recent history and embrace a more stable, inclusive future.