Dhaka: Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus on Monday announced his resignation, marking the end of the transitional administration ahead of the formation of a new government led by Tarique Rahman and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Yunus, who served as Chief Adviser of the interim government formed after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s exit, made the announcement in a farewell address to the nation, just a day before Rahman is scheduled to take oath as the country’s new Prime Minister.
“Today, the interim government is stepping down. But let the practice of democracy, freedom of speech, and fundamental rights that has begun not be halted,” Yunus said during the broadcast, emphasising the importance of preserving democratic reforms initiated during the transitional period.
BNP’s Election Victory and Political Shift
Tarique Rahman’s BNP secured a decisive mandate in the recent general elections, winning 209 out of 297 parliamentary seats, paving the way for the party to form the next government.
The Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami emerged as a significant political force, securing 68 seats in the parliament. Meanwhile, the Awami League, led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was barred from contesting the polls, marking a dramatic shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
Transition to Elected Government
Yunus’s resignation signals the formal conclusion of the interim administration and the restoration of a fully elected government in Bangladesh. The transition comes at a crucial moment for the country, as political observers closely watch how the incoming government will navigate governance, democratic reforms, and civil liberties.