Sanctimonia Binocs, Bhubaneswar, 26 May 2025
A declaration by a key ally of Muhammad Yunus, suggesting the interim government chief adviser’s desire to resign, has intensified the political climate in Bangladesh. This development follows stern directives from Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman for early elections, a move perceived as a direct challenge to Yunus’s continued leadership and his administration’s push for extensive reforms before polls. The unfolding situation points to a significant power struggle, with Yunus appearing to leverage public support to counter military pressure.
Yunus Camp Rallies Support, Cites Reform Agenda
Nahid Islam, leader of the nascent National Citizens Party and a close associate of Yunus, conveyed to reporters on Thursday that Yunus felt unable to continue his role after recent events, specifically citing interactions that occurred on Wednesday. Despite this intimation of resignation, there has been no formal step by the Nobel laureate to vacate his position. Instead, his supporters are reportedly preparing for a multi-pronged campaign, encompassing street demonstrations, social media activism, and international outreach, to preserve the Yunus-led regime.
A “March for Yunus” was announced for Saturday at Dhaka’s Shahbagh, a historically significant site for political demonstrations. Accompanying posters have called for Yunus to remain in power for five years, prioritizing “Reforms first, elections later.” This stance has drawn criticism, with some likening the resignation hint to a political maneuver.
Shahbagh’s legacy as a protest venue, notably for the 2013-14 rallies demanding justice for 1971 war criminals, contrasts with the current alignment of some Islamist radical leaders—previously implicated in supporting the Pakistan Army—as strong backers of Yunus’s interim government. These groups are reportedly advocating for significant constitutional changes, including the abrogation of the 1972 secular constitution via a “July Declaration.” Concerns have been voiced that such moves could aim to install Yunus in a more permanent leadership role, potentially even leading to the ousting of President Mohammed Shahabuddin Chuppu. Critics have pointed to Yunus’s promises of transforming Bangladesh into a prosperous nation, akin to Singapore, contingent on his continued unelected rule. This has also drawn attention to his Western backers, who previously criticized Sheikh Hasina’s government for democratic shortcomings but now appear to support an unelected leader’s efforts to delay elections.
Army Chief Insists on Elections, Warns Against Instability
The catalyst for the heightened tensions appears to be Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman’s address on Wednesday. He firmly dismissed Yunus’s extensive reform agenda as the primary mandate for an interim government, reiterating the call for elections by December. General Waker emphasized that an unelected administration should not make critical decisions that could affect national stability or sovereignty, reserving such matters for a future elected government. Analysts interpret this speech as the first significant challenge to Yunus’s authority.
The Army Chief has consistently stated his opposition to a military takeover, clarifying that his objective is to facilitate “free, fair, and inclusive elections” for a peaceful power transition, after which the military would return to its barracks. However, he also issued a clear warning that the army would not tolerate mob rule, anarchy, interference in military affairs by the interim government, or attempts to bypass the military on crucial national security and strategic decisions. He insisted on military consultation in all such matters.
In response to the army’s stance, Yunus has seemingly turned to his supporter base, which includes influential radical Islamist groups like Jamaat-e-Islami and Hifazat-e-Islam. These groups possess significant mobilization capabilities, drawing on students from madrassas and other networks. Simultaneously, leaflets, purportedly from junior army commanders, have circulated, criticizing the interim government for allegedly betraying the spirit of last year’s pro-democracy movements and warning against campaigns that could lead to chaos.
Contrasting Narratives and Historical Parallels
Supporters of Yunus have actively promoted counter-narratives on social media. Faiz Tayeb, a special adviser to Yunus, argued on Facebook that the army should refrain from political interference and allow Yunus to continue his reform agenda. Syeda Rizwana, another adviser in Yunus’s council, challenged General Waker’s assertion that the interim government’s sole purpose was to conduct elections, stating that reforms and justice for alleged “victims of fascism” were equally important.
Former Army Chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan cautioned against a repeat of the “1/11” incident—a reference to the 2006 military-backed caretaker government takeover. Bhuiyan, who played a role in urging officers to avoid suppressing last year’s anti-Hasina protests, stressed that the army should avoid unconstitutional actions that could damage its institutional integrity. However, sources close to General Waker contend that Bhuiyan misunderstands the current Army Chief’s intentions, arguing that General Waker aims to restore democracy through participatory elections, unlike Yunus. They also point out that the “1/11” reference evokes memories of Yunus’s own past attempt to gain power with military support by floating a political party, which ultimately failed. That earlier military-backed caretaker government also sought to extend its tenure by delaying elections, eventually succumbing to global pressure and holding polls won by Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League.
An Unfolding Power Play
The situation underscores Muhammad Yunus’s well-documented political ambitions, juxtaposed with an apparent reluctance to engage in the conventional political processes of party building and electoral contests. The current standoff between the interim government and the military highlights a critical juncture for Bangladesh, as calls for democratic transition clash with a desire for prolonged, unelected leadership focused on a reform agenda. The extent to which Yunus will go to maintain power, and how the military will respond to perceived delays in the electoral process, remain key questions in this evolving political drama.
Picture Courtesy: OpIndia
