Bangladesh’s political landscape is witnessing a dramatic upheaval as interim government chief Muhammad Yunus convened an emergency advisory council meeting on Saturday. The unscheduled session comes amid growing fissures within the administration, increasing confrontations with the Army, and fierce street protests led by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The meeting, held at the backdrop of Yunus reportedly offering to step down, focused on the fragile mandate of the interim government, whose core tasks include overseeing elections, ushering in reforms, and upholding justice.
A Government Under Siege: Rift Between Yunus and the Army Deepens
Trouble has been brewing for weeks, but tensions hit a flashpoint after Bangladesh’s Army Chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, publicly pressed for elections to be held by December. Behind closed doors, military officials have expressed dissatisfaction with being excluded from key decisions, criticizing the interim government for bypassing protocol and transparency. The General’s rejection of a proposed humanitarian corridor to Myanmar further widened the rift, exposing deeper fault lines between the civilian-led interim setup and the powerful military establishment.
Opposition Parties Turn Up the Heat With Mass Mobilisations
Adding to Yunus’s troubles, the BNP has launched a series of high-decibel protests calling for his removal and immediate elections. Thousands of supporters took to the streets, amplifying public pressure on the interim chief, whose legitimacy is increasingly being questioned. Senior BNP leaders such as Abdul Moyeen Khan and Salahuddin Ahmed have urged Yunus to facilitate a smooth transition rather than bowing out abruptly, cautioning that a leadership vacuum could plunge the nation into deeper chaos.
Cabinet in Crisis: Advisory Council Warns Against External Influence
In its official statement following Saturday’s meeting, the Advisory Council underlined the gravity of the situation, cautioning against “unreasonable demands, unauthorised activities, and disruptive narratives” that are eroding public trust and creating administrative paralysis. The council asserted that any attempt to undermine the independence of the interim government or hinder a free and fair election process would be met with decisive action — in consultation with the people.
Student-Led Political Movements Add Fuel to the Fire
Nahid Islam, the convenor of the youth-backed National Citizen Party (NCP), met Yunus on Thursday and later revealed that the chief adviser was contemplating resignation. In a revealing statement to BBC Bangla, Islam said Yunus felt cornered and unable to function effectively. Although Islam and other cabinet members have pleaded with Yunus to remain in charge, their appeals may only temporarily delay what increasingly appears to be an inevitable political exit.
Talks With Rivals Continue: Will Dialogue Avert a Meltdown?
Despite the growing storm, Yunus has kept the door open for dialogue. He is scheduled to meet BNP leaders at 7:00 pm and Jamaat-e-Islami representatives at 8:00 pm. These back-to-back discussions are being seen as crucial to de-escalating tensions and potentially forging a path forward. However, whether these meetings can salvage the credibility of the interim regime remains a question that looms large over Dhaka’s political theatre.
Unity or Uprising: What Lies Ahead for Bangladesh?
As the interim government walks a political tightrope, the Advisory Council has called for greater unity among all stakeholders. It emphasized that the administration is committed to its constitutional duties and warned that any destabilising effort — domestic or foreign — will be countered with transparency and public disclosure. Still, the path forward is uncertain. If Yunus resigns, it could trigger a political vacuum with unpredictable consequences.
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