Bangladesh’s interim government leader, Muhammad Yunus, has opted to continue in office after initial indications of a resignation, amidst mounting tensions between his administration, political parties, and the army.
Espy reports indicate that Yunus had called an emergency session with his advisory council after a scheduled meeting of ECNEC to discuss increased discord regarding election timetables and governance reform. Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud corroborated that Yunus had no plans to resign, asserting, “He is definitely staying,” as he emphasized the advisers’ shared dedication to their national duties.
The confusion regarding Yunus’s position occurred after he informed student leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) that he was contemplating resigning because of increasing challenges and no political consensus. Cabinet members and NCP leaders convinced him not to resign, citing his contribution of guiding the nation through its transitional stage.
Yunus is to have key meetings with officials of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami in the evening to finalize political reforms and polls. The two parties have called for an Election Roadmap, with BNP leaders asking Yunus to preside over early polls and relinquish power with grace. Jamaat demanded structural reforms and a transparent election timeline between December and June.
At the same time, tensions have also been witnessed with the military establishment. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has reportedly complained of being kept in the dark regarding major security decisions, especially over a mooted humanitarian corridor to Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Military commanders have called for polls by December to allow a seamless transition to civilian rule.
Yunus’s administration, which took office after student-led demonstrations toppled incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been under mounting pressure to produce reforms and justice, rather than elections. Political instability remains a tight grip on Dhaka, with opposition groups confronting each other on the streets and calling for immediate action.