Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government, has said that judging by the current situation in Bangladesh, people still view the interim government as the best option for the country.
In an interview with Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera, Dr Yunus discussed a range of issues, including Bangladesh’s July uprising, the escape of former autocratic Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India, and widespread corruption.
Yunus noted that the public is not demanding the interim government’s resignation; instead, the administration is working towards holding a credible election.
The interview, titled "Muhammad Yunus: Real reform or just a new ruling class in Bangladesh?", was published on Al Jazeera’s website on Sunday (April 27).
During the conversation, Dr Yunus reaffirmed his commitment to genuine reforms aimed at eradicating the corruption and irregularities of the previous regime and promised to oversee the most credible election Bangladesh has ever seen. He explained that if the list of reforms is short, elections could be held as early as December; however, if it is lengthy, polls might be delayed until June of next year.
When asked whether the Awami League would be allowed to contest the elections, Yunus said that the decision partly rests with the party itself, as it must first decide whether to participate. He pointed out that the Awami League had not yet made any formal announcement. He added that several factors, including the Election Commission’s actions during the election period, could influence the situation.
Clarifying further, Yunus said it was not solely up to the Election Commission to decide the Awami League’s fate. Other political parties might argue that under current laws, the Awami League should be barred from contesting the polls.
In response to another question, the Chief Adviser shared that he met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit. During their meeting, he requested Modi to restrain Sheikh Hasina. However, Modi responded that it would not be possible, explaining that in India, freedom of expression on social media is guaranteed, and thus he could not control what Sheikh Hasina says online.
