Nahid Islam, convenor of the Jatiyo Nagorik Party, has stated that Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor of Bangladesh's interim government, is considering his resignation.
According to a report by British media outlet BBC Bangla, Islam shared this information on Thursday (May 22) evening after meeting with the chief advisor at his residence, the state guesthouse Jamuna.
Nahid Islam went to meet Professor Muhammad Yunus upon hearing news that the chief advisor of the interim government might resign.
Islam quoted the chief advisor as expressing concern that he might not be able to work effectively in the current situation in the country. "We've been hearing news of the sir's resignation since this morning due to the ongoing situation in the country. So I went to meet him to discuss that," Islam said.
After his discussion with Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Nahid Islam stated, "Yes, if he cannot work, what's the benefit of staying? He (Dr. Yunus) said he is thinking about it (resignation). It seems to him that the situation is such that he cannot work."
Regarding the chief advisor's current stance on resignation, Nahid Islam commented, "Now, if political parties want his resignation... if he doesn't find that place of trust, that assurance, why would he stay?"
The convenor of the Jatiyo Nagorik Party told BBC Bangla, "Sir said, 'If I cannot work... from where you brought me after a mass uprising. The change, the reforms for the country... But the situation, the way the movement is going or the way I am being held hostage. I cannot work like this. So, if all you political parties cannot reach a common ground.'"
Nahid Islam, a leader of the newly formed party after the July mass uprising, urged the chief advisor not to resign. He conveyed to the chief advisor, "Considering the aspirations of our mass uprising, national security, and the future of the country, he should remain strong and maintain a position of unity with all the parties. I hope everyone will cooperate with him."
Recent Developments
Notably, the BNP today demanded the resignation or dismissal of two advisors of the interim government and the national security advisor. They called for the resignations of advisors Mahfuz Alam and Asif Mahmud from the ongoing movement to administer the oath of office to BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation. Later, in a press conference, the BNP further demanded the dismissal of these two advisors along with National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman.
In a counter-reaction to the BNP's demands, a top leader of the NCP warned that three interim government advisors would be forced to resign, labeling them as 'BNP spokesmen', if reform recommendations are not implemented.
These three advisors are Law Advisor Professor Asif Nazrul, Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed, and Planning Advisor Dr. Wahid Uddin Mahmud. Meanwhile, Information Advisor Mahfuz Alam already expressed regret in a Facebook post on Thursday for any previous divisive statements and word choices.
