Washington: Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, said on Saturday that the longer Bangladesh's interim government remains in power, the more likely the military will have a more decisive role in the country's politics.

Michael Kugelman's comments came amid the ongoing political unrest in Bangladesh after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The timing of the general elections has become uncertain due to the ongoing violence and political upheaval in Bangladesh. 

Hasina's party Awami League is currently on the margins

Kugelman stressed that Hasina's party, the Awami League, is currently marginalized and has no representation in the interim government. However, he said that if the unrest continues, the Awami League could become popular again in future elections.

'Military likely to play a more decisive role in politics'

In an interview with news agency ANI, Kugelman said, "If a year or two passes, if the economy does not improve, if the unrest continues, then I think the elections may favor the Awami League. Now, I would also say that when we are talking about future political scenarios, the longer the interim government stays in power, I think the chances of the army playing a more decisive role in politics increases."

'Army can play an important role in Bangladesh's politics'

Kugelman further said that I believe the army is no longer the army it was yesterday. In the past decades when it was carrying out coups and its role was more political, in the last few decades it seemed comfortable staying behind the barracks, certainly since 2009 when Sheikh Hasina came to power.

But with this continued vacuum and these uncertainties and with no clear path towards elections and an interim government, I think the military is in a position that could by default play a more political role. We know that in 2006, 2007 and 2008, when you had a long interim government (which was led by the military) even though it was influenced by the military. So we should not ignore the potential political role that the military could play going forward.

'Sheikh Hasina likely to return to politics'

Michael, director of the South Asia Institute, said the potential political role the military could play in the future should not be overlooked. Kugelman expressed doubts about Sheikh Hasina's return to politics, but did not rule out the possibility of a return.

Bangladesh's political transition is 'extraordinary'

Kugelman described the political transition in Bangladesh as "extraordinary" and said the situation had changed very quickly. He also highlighted Yunus' significant support both internationally and domestically, especially among young Bangladeshis.