Bangladesh’s Interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus Considers Resignation Amid Political Deadlock

Muhammad Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel Peace Laureate and interim chief adviser of Bangladesh’s transitional government, is reportedly contemplating stepping down from his post due to mounting political deadlock and lack of consensus among key political parties, sources close to the government revealed on Thursday.

Yunus, who assumed leadership last August following a student-led uprising that forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India, has faced increasing difficulties in executing his mandate amid escalating tensions between political factions and the military. Nahid Islam, leader of the student-founded National Citizen Party (NCP), told BBC Bangla that Yunus expressed deep frustration over the failure of political parties to reach common ground on necessary reforms and election timelines. “Sir said, ‘If I can’t work… I was brought here after a mass uprising to bring change and reform to the country. But in the current situation, with mounting pressure from movements and the way I’m being cornered … I cannot work like this. The political parties, you’ve all failed to reach common ground,’” Islam quoted Yunus as saying.

The chief adviser reportedly voiced his doubts about the purpose of his position if he cannot function effectively, stating in a meeting with advisers, “What is the point of being the chief advisor if he cannot function properly?” The political stalemate has intensified as opposition parties, particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), demand a firm election date, pressing Yunus to announce polls by December 2025, earlier than his proposed June 2026 deadline. Meanwhile, the military leadership has also expressed unease over delayed elections and policy disagreements, further complicating the interim government’s position.

Despite these reports, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, a special adviser to Yunus and cabinet member, publicly affirmed that the chief adviser has no intention to resign, emphasizing Yunus’s commitment to a peaceful democratic transition. “For the sake of Bangladesh and a peaceful democratic transition, Professor Yunus needs to remain in office,” Taiyeb said, adding, “He does not hanker after power”.

Yunus’s administration has faced criticism not only for the delayed election schedule but also over the composition of his advisory council, with various parties demanding the removal of advisers perceived as partisan. The political impasse has led to street protests and increased polarization, raising concerns about the stability of Bangladesh’s transitional period.

As the country grapples with these challenges, Yunus’s potential resignation underscores the fragility of the current political environment and the urgent need for consensus among Bangladesh’s political actors to ensure a credible and peaceful electoral process.

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