Yunus never spoke of resigning, says Bangladesh's planning adviser

Amid raging speculation over Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ reported desire to step down due to ongoing protests and lack of consensus among various political parties over key electoral reforms, a key member of the Advisory Council, Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud, reportedly said on Saturday (May 24) that the Nobel Laureate had never said he would resign.

Speaking to reporters in Dhaka after a meeting of the advisers, Mahmud also said that Yunus had only pointed out that there were many obstacles in the path of the interim government and in fulfilling the objectives it had been tasked with.

‘Yunus never spoke of resignation’

"But he did not say he was leaving. He said there are many obstacles in the work we are doing and in the responsibility that has been given to us. But we will overcome all the obstacles," Mahmud told reporters, as quoted by the Daily Star.

He made it clear that the interim government would not quit as the responsibilities and reforms it had been tasked with will have an impact on Bangladesh for years to come.

Mahmud also said the advisers were well aware of the obstacles originating from different places, who was facing what problems, and what were key impediments in the way forward.

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'Reforms not advisers' sole responsibility'

Calling for support from all stakeholders, including political parties, administration and the judiciary, Mahmud said it was not the “sole responsibility” of the advisers to carry out key electoral reforms in the country.

He pointed out that the advisers did not voluntarily take up the key responsibilities, but had been tasked with a “national responsibility” adding that they would not abandon it.

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'Greater unity required'

Meanwhile, the National Advisory Council said in a statement, issued after an unscheduled meeting, that “greater unity” was required to maintain stability in Bangladesh and carry out key electoral and judicial reforms.

“The Advisory Council believes that greater unity is needed to keep the country stable, advance elections, justice, and reform efforts, and permanently prevent the arrival of dictatorship in the country. The interim government will listen to the opinions of political parties on this issue and clarify the government's position,” the council stated.

If further stated that if it was made impossible for the interim government to fulfil its responsibilities at the behest of “defeated forces” and “foreign conspiracy” it would make the reasons public and decide its future course of action.

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The backdrop

The speculation over Yunus’ resignation started with the comments of National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam made to BBC Bangla following a meeting with Yunus on Friday in Dhaka.

Nahid said Yunus was considering options for stepping down, and added that the Chief Adviser was apprehensive whether he would be able to continue his work amid continuous protests and lack of consensus among key political parties on significant reforms.