Bangladesh’s interim government chief Muhammad Yunus attacked Sheikh Hasina, calling her a ‘loan shark and extremist leader.’ Within 24 hours, Yunus retaliated against Hasina’s government, labeling it a ‘family of bandits.’ On Monday, he gave an interview to the British news outlet The Guardian, where the Nobel-winning economist said, “There was no government during Hasina’s rule. There was only a family of bandits.”

Yunus had earlier expressed his surprise when student protesters in Bangladesh asked him to take on the role of leading the interim government in August. He also shared his experiences after returning to the country and assuming leadership. He claimed that the situation in Bangladesh at the time of Hasina’s resignation and departure mirrored that of war-torn Gaza. He stated, “The damage she (Hasina) has done is enormous. When I took over, it was a devastated country, like Gaza. The difference was that houses hadn’t collapsed here, but every institution, the police, international relations—everything had fallen apart.”

Several political parties in the country have raised concerns about the recent deterioration of law and order in Bangladesh. However, Yunus refused to admit that the situation worsened compared to Hasina’s era. He mentioned that his government maintains good relations with the military and that there has been no pressure exerted by the army.

Many believed that Yunus’ government would face more challenges following Donald Trump’s rise to power because Yunus is known to be closely aligned with the Democratic camp. Therefore, the support Yunus’ Bangladesh might have received under Biden or another Democratic president would likely not be available under a Republican administration. In this context, Yunus urged Trump to consider Bangladesh as a “good investment opportunity.” He remarked, “Trump is a negotiator. So, I am telling him, come and do business with us.” Yunus warned that if Trump doesn’t act accordingly, Bangladesh would experience ‘minor suffering.’ At the same time, the head of the interim government assured that the democratic process in Bangladesh will not stop.