What CA Yunus discussed with Advisory Council about 'resignation'
He also discussed with his colleagues whether there was any necessity for him to remain in his position at the meeting
Chief Adviser (CA) of the interim government Muhammad Yunus, at a discussion with the Advisory Council, has expressed frustration with the country's ongoing situation.
During a four-hour-long unannounced meeting with the council yesterday (22 May), which took place after the one-hour-long regular meeting, he said the government cannot function due to various obstacles and non-cooperation from political parties, reports Samakal.
The chief adviser also discussed with his colleagues whether there was any necessity for him to remain in his position at the meeting, according to Samakal – which sourced three advisers, two officials of the CA's Office, and student leaders without naming them.
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The meeting took place before National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and former adviser Nahid Islam met CA Yunus last night.
The Samakal report said Yunus expressed frustration during the advisers' meeting over political parties' distrust of the government regarding elections. Issues unrelated to elections are also being turned into election-related issues.
He said elections will be held between December and June - he has been saying this repeatedly. He will not stay even one day after June. However, distrust seems to remain somewhere.
Alleging that no one, including the political parties, is providing the promised cooperation to the government, Yunus said it's impossible to fulfil responsibilities in this manner. Pressure has been created regarding elections. The possibility of fair elections in the existing situation is also slim. It will be a controlled election.
Sources at the meeting said CA Yunus is not willing to take responsibility for such an election.
Meanwhile, the fact that many BNP leaders have been openly alleging for the past few months that some in the government want to delay elections to prolong power was also raised during the meeting.
The discussion of the humanitarian corridor and giving management of Chittagong Port's New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to foreign companies, labelled as a "conspiracy" to delay elections, was also raised at the meeting.
The chief adviser expressed frustration over these issues. The sources quoted him as saying, "Such an atmosphere has been created as if I am selling off the country! I don't want to stay with this slander."
An adviser, who was present at the meeting, told Samakal that at one point in the meeting, a draft speech was prepared for the chief adviser to address the nation. It proposed some messages to all parties. The chief adviser expressed frustration about this, too, and said he wants to resign.
Meeting sources said that at least four advisers said they also do not want to stay with the slander at this time.
However, other advisers said that this government, which came to power through a student-led public mass uprising in August last year, has responsibilities to the nation. If the government leaves during this unstable time, the country's situation will worsen.
They said this responsibility will also fall on Yunus as head of government.
At this stage, CA Yunus asked the advisers to give their opinions quickly. He said the advisers themselves will decide whether the government will stay.
