Saturday, March 29, 2025
Bangladesh’s interim government head, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, called an unscheduled meeting of the advisory council on Saturday as the country’s political crisis continues to deepen, according to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), citing local sources.
This unexpected meeting took place shortly after the scheduled session of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). Local news agency UNB, quoting an unnamed official, stated that Yunus met with his advisers—who serve as de facto ministers—following the ECNEC gathering. No further details about the agenda were provided.
The meeting was called just hours before Yunus’s scheduled discussions with leaders from key political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami. Rumors of his potential resignation have gained traction in recent days.
According to his press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, Yunus plans to meet both BNP and Jamaat leaders on Saturday evening. BNP media officer Shairul Kabir Khan confirmed that senior party representatives would be present. Similarly, Ataur Rahman Sarkar, spokesperson for Jamaat-e-Islami, acknowledged that they had received an invitation.
After coming to power in the wake of last year’s mass uprising, Yunus has reportedly threatened to resign unless political parties support his transitional government. Despite this, his advisers maintain that he intends to stay.
“He didn’t say he’s resigning,” Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud clarified following the advisory council session. “Although we are facing many obstacles, we are steadily overcoming them. He is definitely staying.”
Political unrest has surged in recent days as opposition groups stage protests across Dhaka, demanding a fixed election date. On Thursday, thousands of BNP supporters marched through the capital to pressure the interim government.
While Yunus has promised elections by June 2026, the BNP continues to insist on a concrete timeline. At the same time, reports suggest growing friction between Yunus and the military. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman recently argued that elections should take place by December 2025.
Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, a special assistant to Yunus and minister overseeing Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, defended the chief adviser’s role in ensuring a smooth transition.
“For the sake of Bangladesh and a peaceful democratic process, Professor Yunus must remain in office,” Taiyeb wrote in a Facebook post. He also emphasized that Yunus is not driven by power and has no intention of stepping down.
In a nation caught between political uncertainty and public unrest, Yunus’s next move could prove decisive for Bangladesh’s democratic future.
