Prof Yunus considering resignation: Nahid tells BBC Bangla after meeting CA

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus was considering resigning as he is finding it difficult to work as political parties have been failing to find any common ground, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has told the BBC Bangla today (22 May).

Speaking to BBC Bangla after he met Yunus at his Jamuna residence at 7pm, he said he had gone to meet the CA after receiving news that he may resign.

After this discussion, the chief adviser told Nahid that he was "thinking about resigning," the BBC Bangla reported.

"He says he is thinking about it. He feels that the situation is such that he cannot work."

On the meeting, Nahid said, "We have been hearing news of sir's resignation since this morning. So I went to meet sir to discuss that issue."

Nahid said the chief adviser had expressed his fear that he would not be able to work in the current situation of the country.

Yunus said, "I won't be able to work unless the political parties can reach a common ground."

In response, Nahid told Yunus to stay strong for the sake of the country's security, future and to meet the expectations of the mass uprising.

Nahid urged the chief adviser not to take a decision like resignation.

He asked the CA to remain strong for the interests of the mass uprising and national security and the future of the country.

"I hope everyone will cooperate with him."

Nahid said there was no point in Yunus staying if he could not do his work. 

Regarding the current attitude of the chief advisor regarding the resignation, Nahid said, "If the political party wants him to resign now... why will he stay if he does not get that place of trust, that place of assurance?"

In the past 36-hour whirlwind, Yunus' government has faced four major blows.

Firstly, yesterday Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman stated that the national election should ideally be held by December this year. 

Although Yunus had also suggested a December timeline, he said it could also be held in June next year depending on the speed of reforms. 

Then earlier today, the High Court summarily rejected the writ petition that sought a stay on the Election Commission's decision to declare BNP-nominated candidate Ishraque Hossain as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation.

This could be interpreted in many ways, especially with the NCP being against such a move. Soon after the verdict, Adviser Mahfuj Alam also issued an apology for his "divisive words". 

Also today, the finance ministry backtracked on its earlier decision to split the NBR into two divisions after dissolving it, dealing another blow to yet another crucial reform step. 

And finally, the Human Rights Watch criticised the government for its ban on the AL and suppression of its supporters. 

CA's Press Secretary, soon after the ban on AL, had declared that he didn't believe the world would lament over the ban.

The HRW reaction, however, says otherwise.