In the absence of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim will perform the duties of president of the banned Awami League, Hasina told Indian media.

In an interview with India’s The Wall on Sunday, she said Selim presides over party meetings when she assigns him to do so.

“He (Sheikh Selim) presides over the meeting. I also remain present. Only he is here (to lead) now, and he is the most senior,” she said.

During the hour-long phone conversation with The Wall Executive Editor Amal Sarkar, Hasina also spoke about her possible return to Bangladesh, her personal security, the current political situation in the country, India-Bangladesh relations and the future leadership of the Awami League.

Sheikh Hasina has served as president of the Awami League since February 16, 1981. She fled to India on August 5, 2024, following the July Uprising that brought down her government.

She has remained in New Delhi ever since, while the Bangladesh government continues to press India for her extradition.

In November 2025, Hasina was sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal after being convicted of crimes against humanity committed during the uprising.

Addressing whether she intends to return home, Hasina questioned why she should not be allowed to return to her homeland while expressing grave concerns for her safety.

“If I return, they could kill me even at the airport,” she said.

She also warned that her return could put her supporters at risk.

“I do not want to put anyone in danger by issuing instructions to return to the country,” she said.

Hasina further questioned New Delhi’s diplomatic stance on recent developments in Dhaka, particularly its support for the Bangladesh election and the return of Tarique Rahman.

“What the Indian government was thinking when it supported the Bangladesh election and brought back Tarique, only the Indian government can answer that best,” she noted.

Commenting on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s potential official visit to India, Hasina criticized what she described as the political bargaining surrounding the trip.

“Bargaining over Tarique Rahman’s visit to India is actually demeaning one’s own country,” she said.

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*The story has been updated with background and additional quotes.