4 hours ago
Last Updated:May 25, 2025, 13:04 IST
Adviser Mahmud briefed the reporters: “Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus will remain with us. He has not indicated any intention to resign..."
Muhammad Yunus held a series of meetings on Saturday. (AFP)
Even as political uncertainty grows in Bangladesh, Mohammad Yunus, chief adviser of the country’s interim government, has no plans to step down for now.
Amid growing speculation over his potential resignation, Yunus on Saturday held a series of meetings with members of his advisory council as well as representatives of various political parties.
Following the unscheduled meeting of the advisory council, Adviser Mahmud briefed reporters, stating, “The Chief Adviser will remain with us. He has not indicated any intention to resign. The other advisers are also staying. We have been entrusted with responsibilities, and we are here to fulfil them."
His remarks put to rest days of rumours surrounding Yunus’s future.
THE STATEMENT
The advisory council also issued a statement highlighting the challenges faced by the interim government.
It said: “The council extensively discussed how the performance of responsibilities entrusted by the people has been hindered by unreasonable demands, unauthorised statements, and activities that have disrupted normal governance and created confusion and doubt in the public mind. The Advisory Council emphasised the need for greater unity to maintain national stability, promote the election process, uphold justice, and pursue reform — while ensuring that autocracy does not return. In this context, the interim government will listen to the views of political parties and clearly articulate its own position."
The statement further warned that any disruption to the government’s independence, reform initiatives, judicial process, or the goal of holding free and fair elections would prompt the government to consult with the people and take necessary steps.
WHAT SOURCES SAY
Sources in Dhaka suggest that Yunus’s earlier expression about resigning stemmed from frustration, not a final decision.
Analysts familiar with the political dynamics in Bangladesh believe Yunus’s apparent reversal may have been a calculated move. Two days ago, speculation about his resignation gained momentum, especially after NCP leader Nahid publicly claimed he had tried to persuade Yunus not to step down.
On Saturday, Yunus reportedly held meetings with representatives from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the ist Citizen Party (NCP). According to sources in Dhaka, the BNP demanded that national elections be held by December and insisted that controversial advisers be removed from the interim setup. The party rejected the notion that reforms must precede elections, arguing that both can happen concurrently.
Conversely, sources say Jamaat and NCP emphasised the need for reforms before elections.
Adviser Shafikul Alam later told reporters: “Everyone wants the elections to be held under the Chief Adviser. Dr. Yunus has said the elections will take place between December and June."
Experts say these developments point to a widening rift between the military establishment and Yunus. Major political forces, especially the BNP, have expressed dissatisfaction with the Chief Adviser and the performance of his advisers.
Some believe Yunus’s recent threat to resign was a strategic move intended to generate public sympathy and consolidate support for the interim government. Criticism has also emerged over the interim government’s engagement in international matters, with some questioning how an unelected body can take decisions with long-term geopolitical implications.
Experts monitoring the situation closely argue that Yunus’s actions over the past two days were part of a well-orchestrated political manoeuvre. The political situation in Bangladesh remains tense, and observers warn that any delay in holding elections could trigger further instability.
Location : First Published:News world ‘Bangladesh’s Yunus Will Stay’: Was Resignation Buzz A Strategy Amid Political Uncertainty?
