Dhaka/New Delhi: Amid rising political tensions in Bangladesh, former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Veena Sikri on Sunday termed the speculation surrounding interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ resignation as “complete drama,” meant to divert attention from the Bangladesh Army’s push to hold elections by the end of 2025.
“Muhammad Yunus never said he would resign. The entire narrative was a distraction from what General Waker-Uz-Zaman and the army had asserted,” Sikri told media.
According to Sikri, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman had held a meeting with senior military officers on May 21, where he laid out five key points, including insisting on parliamentary elections before the end of this year.
Backdrop of Political Upheaval
Following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in. However, Sikri clarified that the current setup is neither a full-fledged nor constitutionally empowered caretaker government.
“They (the interim government) have no authority to carry out reforms or alter the constitution,” she asserted.
Yunus Responds to Resignation Rumours
On May 24, Muhammad Yunus dismissed resignation speculation during an unscheduled Advisory Council meeting following the National Economic Council’s session.
The Council, chaired by Yunus, reaffirmed its commitment to the three mandates:
- Elections
- Justice
- Reforms
In its official statement, the Advisory Council stressed the need for unity to ensure political stability and expressed concern over disruptive demands and misinformation hampering national progress.
Parties Push Competing Agendas
- The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former PM Khaleda Zia, is demanding elections by December 2025.
- The newly formed National Citizens Party (NCP) — backed by student leaders who played a role in Hasina’s ouster — insists on implementing key structural reforms before polls.
The interim government is seen as leaning toward the NCP, further fueling political divides.
Protests in Dhaka
BNP supporters have begun protesting in front of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ residence, Jamuna, demanding the removal of two student advisers from the interim cabinet, accusing them of pushing the NCP agenda.
As political uncertainty escalates, the Army’s role and its insistence on timely elections may shape the country’s path forward.