Yunus ponders resignation: How the country reacted
Here are all the reactions and developments on the matter so far
While Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus reportedly expressed a desire to step down amid escalating political unrest, political leaders and civil society members raised their voices in unison, urging him to stay on, fulfil his mandate to hold a free and fair general election, and implement key reforms through national consensus.
Here are all the reactions and developments on the matter so far.
CA Yunus is not resigning; we are not leaving: Planning adviser after closed-door meeting
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is not resigning, said the interim government Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud today (24 May).
"He [Yunus] didn't say he will leave. He said that while we face many obstacles in carrying out the work and responsibilities assigned to us, we are overcoming them. He is definitely staying," Wahiduddin told reporters.
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He made the remarks while responding to queries after a closed-door meeting of the Advisory Council, which discussed various ongoing issues, at the National Economic Council (NEC) conference room in Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
CA Yunus likely to meet advisers after Ecnec meeting today
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is likely to sit with his colleagues at the Council of Advisers shortly after today's scheduled meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) to discuss the current issues, a senior official told UNB this morning.
"He is likely to sit with the Advisers shortly after the Ecnec meeting," said the official without elaborating further.
He said the chief adviser will hold separate meetings with BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in the evening amid growing political tensions and various speculations.
BNP, Jamaat set to meet CA Yunus this evening to discuss election, ongoing political situation
BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will have separate meetings with the Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in the evening today to discuss election and ongoing political situation.
Sources at the Chief Adviser's Press Wing confirmed the matter to The Business Standard.
BNP will meet with CA at 7:30pm. They will discuss the present situation and elections, confirmed BNP's media cell.
Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher previously told the media that the CA's Office has verbally fixed 6pm this evening for a meeting with them.
He said they want to meet with the CA to discuss ongoing political issues.
Interim govt did not assume responsibility solely to hold elections: Rizwana
The interim government did not assume responsibility solely to conduct elections, it also aims to carry out reforms and ensure justice, said Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Friday (23 May) – emphasising the current administration's broader mandate.
"I would put it like this – we had a long discussion after yesterday's meeting. We have three major responsibilities, all of which are difficult: reform, justice and election.
"We did not take charge just to hold an election. We are responsible for the other two as well, and the question is whether we are being able to fulfil them," she said while talking to reporters after an event in Dhaka.
CA Yunus will not resign: Special Assistant Taiyeb
Chief Adviser (CA) Muhammad Yunus will not resign, said Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the CA on posts, telecommunications and information technology ministry, on Friday.
"Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus doesn't need power. Dr Yunus sir is necessary for the sake of Bangladesh, for the peaceful democratic transition of Bangladesh," Taiyeb wrote in a post on his Facebook profile this morning.
He, however, later deleted the post and clarified in a separate status update that the earlier post was his 'personal opinion' and called on media outlets not to make a news out of it.
People want Yunus' dignified exit after holding election at earliest: BNP
Several senior BNP leaders, including Abdul Moyeen Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, and Zainul Abedin Farroque, have said that the BNP does not seek Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus's abrupt resignation, but rather a dignified exit following the holding of the next parliamentary election as soon as possible.
You are 18 crore Bangladeshis' Yunus, we don't want your resignation: BNP's Farroque
Senior BNP leader Zainul Abedin Farroque has urged Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus not to resign.
"You [Yunus] are not just an individual, you are 18 crore Bangladeshis' Yunus. We don't want your resignation," Farroque said while addressing a rally at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday.
Delhi-backed conspiracies afoot to orchestrate another '1/11' crisis after AL ban: Nahid
A fresh conspiracy is underway to stage a political scenario similar to the '1/11' crisis, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam said on Friday.
"Since the banning of the Awami League, new conspiracies are being drawn up from Delhi to create instability and further divide the nation. There is a deliberate move to hinder democratic transformation and orchestrate a scenario similar to the 1/11 crisis," Nahid said in a post on his verified Facebook page.
He, however, did not provide further details to back his claims.
CA Yunus has taken on role of guardian: Hefazat
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has taken on the role of a guardian, and the army chief is a pillar of the nation, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh leader Maulana Mamunul Haque said on Friday.
"Personal grievances should not overshadow the hopes and dreams of the people," said Mamunul, general secretary of the party's Dhaka Metropolitan chapter, at a rally held at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after Jummah prayers.
He criticised the ongoing culture of placing "one demand after another," stating that such a trend would lead the country towards destruction.
Addressing all political parties, Mamunul said clashes over power were inappropriate. "It is not possible to move the country forward by setting timeframes."
He also called for unity among all parties and organisations involved in the July movement
'Fair election only way to earn people's trust': Jamaat seeks clear roadmap from govt
The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has called on the government to announce a clear election roadmap, saying that a fair and neutral election is the only way to earn the people's trust.
"Fair and impartial elections are the only way to gain people's trust. The government has said that elections will be held between December and June. Now, a specific roadmap needs to be announced within this period—but not just elections, but also a roadmap for structural reforms in politics and state governance," Jamaat's Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Md Taher said at a goodwill gathering organised by the Patuakhali District Forum at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka on Friday.
He further said all rumours and conspiracies will come to an end once the government takes the said steps.
Resignation would signify Yunus's failure; decision would be suicidal: Farhad Mazhar
Chief Adviser (CA) Muhammad Yunus made a mistake by expressing his intention to resign, and that resigning would signify his failure and a suicidal move for him, said human rights activist and political analyst Farhad Mazhar on Friday.
"He should respect the historical will of the people — not any individual or party — and remain steadfast in his trust in the people without being misled by the pressure of any group or faction," Farhad wrote in a post on his verified Facebook page this morning.
'Won't let Yunus resign': Gono Odhikar alleges it's 'a drama staged by NCP' to save Asif, Mahfuj
Gono Odhikar Parishad leaders on Friday alleged that the discussion over Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus' possible resignation is a drama staged by leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) to divert public attention from the demands of "NCP advisers" Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Mahfuj Alam's resignation.
Speaking after a rally and procession in Purana Paltan of the capital, demanding the resignation of the two advisers and Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Mohammad Azaz, the party leaders also said they will not let CA Yunus to resign.
The Gono Odhikar accused LGRD Adviser Asif and Information Adviser Mahfuj of being impartial, instigators of unrest, and biased in favour of the NCP.
Not Yunus' resignation, need consensus-based solution: AB Party
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus's resignation will not help overcome the emerging political crisis in the country but rather deepen it, the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) said today, calling on all stakeholders to reach a consensus-based solution through dialogue during this time.
AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju made the call at a press conference in Dhaka on Friday, held in the wake of reports that CA Yunus is considering resignation amid the political instability, reads a press statement.
"Yesterday, national and international media reported on the chief adviser's willingness to resign, citing NCP chief Nahid Islam. This has deeply concerned the people. We have not yet received any clear statement from the government.
"We believe that, in this special situation, the current complex crisis is the result of mistakes and discomforting actions by everyone. The resignation of the Chief Adviser is not a solution—instead, it will lead to dreadful uncertainty. We call upon all parties to reach a consensus-based agreement through dialogue to resolve the crisis," said Monju.
