Bangladesh's army-backed interim government has barred party colleagues from visiting former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, a spokesman for the politician said on Wednesday. Police have not allowed anyone except Hasina's close relatives to enter her Dhaka residence since Tuesday evening.
"We are not allowed to go in, as if Sheikh Hasina is under house arrest," press secretary Abul Kalam Azad told Reuters. A senior police officer said security around the residence of Hasina, top leader of the Awami League, and that of Begum Khaleda Zia, her bitter rival and head of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), had been tightened following what he said had been visible commotions in their parties over proposed reforms.
Groups of leaders and activists have been meeting separately over proposals for internal party reform in both parties. The BNP has yet to comment on increased security around Khaleda's residence at the Dhaka garrison, where normal security is tighter than any other place. "The government should say clearly what has happened, why we are not allowed to meet Hasina," Motia Chowdhury, a senior Awami League official, told reporters.
The two main political groupings, under pressure over charges of corruption and abuse of power, are expected soon to announce internal reforms aimed at curbing the powers of the party chiefs.
The move comes amid a nation-wide crackdown on corruption launched by the military-backed interim administration. More than 170 political figures from both the Awami League and the BNP have been detained. Officials close to Hasina and Khaleda said both were ready to face the reform proposals at party conventions to be held as soon as the interim authority lifts its ban on indoor political events. The government has yet to say when this might be.
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