Bangladesh’s Interim Chief Muhammad Yunus Chairs Emergency Meet Amid Resignation Buzz
Bangladesh’s interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus convened an unscheduled meeting of his advisory council on Saturday, amid intensifying political pressure and speculation about his potential resignation. The high-level discussion came in the wake of growing rifts with political parties and a public push from the Army to hold elections by December.
The emergency session focused on the interim government’s core mandates — elections, reform, and justice. According to an official statement, the council reaffirmed its commitment to these goals while warning that any interference or disruptions could force it to take decisions “in consultation with the people.”
This marks the most direct response yet from Yunus’ administration following a surge in opposition protests and increasing public doubts over the interim government’s ability to operate independently and inclusively.
The advisory council stated that its functioning has been obstructed by “unreasonable demands” and unauthorized activities, which have sowed confusion among citizens and impaired governance. It asserted that the interim government would not bow to narrow political interests or foreign interference.
“If the responsibilities placed on the government become impossible due to incitement by defeated forces or foreign conspiracies, it will lay all facts before the public and act accordingly,” the council said.
The remarks appeared to target the recent escalation by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which staged massive protests this week demanding Yunus’ removal and swift elections.
Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman earlier this week urged the government to hold elections by the end of 2025. He also criticized the interim government for sidelining the military in key policy decisions and warned against acting without public mandate or Army input.
The general’s statement followed his rejection of a proposed humanitarian corridor to Myanmar, intensifying the civil-military friction at a time of fragile governance.
Sources in Dhaka indicate that Yunus is “seriously contemplating” stepping down, citing frustration over the political climate and limitations in executing reforms. Nahid Islam, convenor of the National Citizen Party (NCP), met Yunus on Thursday and confirmed to BBC Bangla that the Nobel laureate expressed doubts about continuing.
Islam urged Yunus to reconsider, as did members of his advisory council, who have reportedly attempted to dissuade him from resigning.
Despite the turmoil, Yunus is expected to meet delegations from both the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami tonight to ease tensions and discuss the road ahead. BNP leaders Abdul Moyeen Khan and Salahuddin Ahmed have also called for early elections but insisted that Yunus should stay to ensure a peaceful transition.
Jamaat leaders have echoed similar sentiments, calling elections the “only path to restoring public trust.”
The BNP’s large-scale protests this week intensified public speculation over the stability of the interim government. Demonstrators demanded not only elections but the removal of student representatives from Yunus’ cabinet.
While no violence was reported, the gatherings underscored public impatience and fears that continued delays in the electoral process could destabilize the country further.
Muhammad Yunus was appointed to lead the interim government after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League. His leadership was seen as a symbol of non-partisan transition aimed at ensuring electoral fairness.
