Former Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain Alleges Key Decisions Were Made Outside Interim Government Council

Former adviser M Sakhawat Hossain has spoken out about the activities of the recently departed interim government. He said that key policy decisions and major moves of the government were not taken in meetings of the advisory council, but rather decided outside the council. He made these remarks in a special interview broadcast in the media on Thursday (February 26).

Retired Brigadier General of the Bangladesh Army and former Election Commissioner Sakhawat Hossain said that despite being a member of the advisory council, he was not given the opportunity to provide any advice on election-related matters. Despite his experience, the government did not include him in any discussions regarding the election system or political transition. He said, “I was not their consultant.”

In the interview, he indicated the existence of a “kitchen cabinet” or an influential inner circle within the government. According to him, major decisions were finalized outside before being brought to the 27-member advisory council. Although no specific plan to delay the election was presented to him, he heard that one group wanted to prolong the timeline. However, he believes that completing the election within 18 months was positive.

After being appointed as Home Adviser in August 2024, he came into discussion over the police’s use of “7.62 bore” rifles. In the interview, he raised the issue again, saying he wanted to investigate how such lethal police weapons ended up in the hands of ordinary people. In videos, he said, he saw individuals wearing lungis and T-shirts carrying police rifles. Even some of the snipers seen in helicopters did not appear to have local facial features or physical builds. He expressed concern that the weapons and snipers might have been outsiders. However, before he could begin an investigation, he was transferred from the Home Ministry to the Labour and Shipping Ministry within just one week.

Sakhawat Hossain said that within seven to eight days of taking office, he wanted to resign from the advisory council. He told Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, “It would not be possible for me to stay; if I remain, you will also be embarrassed.” However, at the request of the Chief Adviser, he ultimately decided to stay.

Sakhawat Hossain, who served as an Election Commissioner from 2007 to 2012, was one of the members of the interim government formed in August 2024. After an elected government has now assumed office in the country, he has publicly shared his experiences.