Yunus Faces Mounting Pressure to Hold Elections, Meets Political Parties in Dhaka
By [Your Name], International Correspondent, May 25, 2025
Dhaka, Bangladesh – Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, held a series of high-stakes meetings with political party leaders on Saturday and Sunday, May 24–25, 2025, amid growing demands to announce a timeline for national elections. The Nobel laureate, who assumed leadership after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, faces pressure from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the military, and other groups to hold polls by December 2025, while his administration prioritizes reforms. The meetings, held at Yunus’s official Jamuna residence, revealed tensions over election timing, controversial advisers, and the interim government’s mandate, as Bangladesh navigates a fragile transition to democracy.
The Meetings: Calls for an Election Roadmap
On Saturday, Yunus met with delegations from the BNP, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, as well as Jamaat-e-Islami and the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP). Discussions continued Sunday with other parties, reflecting a broad push for electoral clarity (NDTV, web:0; The Hindu, web:2). The BNP, emboldened by Zia’s return from London on May 6 after medical treatment, demanded elections by December 2025 and the removal of three “controversial advisers” from Yunus’s cabinet: student leaders Mahfuj Alam and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, and National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman (Economic Times, web:4; Outlook India, web:11). BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain stressed, “We have called for completing the reforms quickly and holding the national election by December,” urging a clear roadmap (Business Today, web:7).
Jamaat-e-Islami proposed a more flexible timeline, suggesting mid-February 2026 if reforms are complete, or post-Ramadan (April 2026) if delayed, while emphasizing a level playing field for all parties (The Hawk, web:9). The NCP, formed from the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) movement that toppled Hasina, pushed for local elections before national polls and a reconstituted Election Commission, a stance the BNP opposes (Business Today, web:7). Yunus’s press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, stated that the Chief Adviser reaffirmed a commitment to elections between December 2025 and June 2026, a timeframe supported by Jamaat and NCP but met with BNP skepticism (The Daily Star, web:17).
Pressure Points: BNP, Military, and Public Unrest
The BNP’s demands reflect broader concerns about Yunus’s delay in setting an election date, nine months into his tenure. The party, which sees itself as poised to win, fears a repeat of past electoral manipulations, with BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir warning of a “well-orchestrated conspiracy” to delay polls (India Today, web:18). Zia’s return has galvanized the BNP, with rallies showcasing its strength (Times of India, web:1). On X, @DhakaTribune reported on May 21, “The BNP leader urged Yunus to announce an election date to counter conspirators,” reflecting public sentiment for urgency (post:4).
The military, led by Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, has also pressed for December elections, expressing frustration over being sidelined on strategic decisions, such as a proposed U.S.-backed Rohingya humanitarian corridor to Myanmar’s Rakhine state, which Zaman dismissed as a “bloody corridor” (NDTV, web:0; Business Today, web:7). The army, which facilitated Hasina’s exit and Yunus’s appointment, has intensified patrols with magistracy powers to curb unrest, signaling its influence (Economic Times, web:5). Analysts view these moves as an effort to reassert military authority amid tensions with Yunus’s administration (Business Today, web:7).
Public and political unrest adds to the pressure. Dhaka has seen protests from rival parties and trade unions, with economic growth faltering and law-and-order issues worsening (India Today, web:18). The interim government’s disbandment of Hasina’s Awami League and trials of its leaders for crimes against humanity have deepened divisions, with the BNP demanding justice but prioritizing elections (The Hawk, web:9).
Yunus’s Stance: Reforms Before Polls
Yunus has consistently argued that reforms—to the Election Commission, judiciary, and constitution—are essential before elections to prevent a return to the corruption and autocracy of Hasina’s 15-year rule (Al Jazeera, web:13). In a November 2024 Al Jazeera interview, he said, “If political parties say forget about reforms, hold the election—we will do it,” but emphasized that rushed polls could perpetuate past failures (The Business Standard, web:3). His administration has faced criticism for pursuing long-term policies, like investment projects and the Rohingya corridor, which critics argue exceed its mandate (NDTV, web:0).
On May 23, Yunus threatened to resign, citing difficulties working without political consensus, but was persuaded to stay by NCP leader Nahid Islam and advisers (Reuters, web:21; NDTV, web:22). His press secretary insisted, “He is a man of his word,” affirming Yunus’s commitment to elections by June 2026 (Prokerala, web:12). However, the BNP noted that Yunus offered “no specific response” to their demands, fueling concerns about delays (The Hawk, web:9). A December 2024 proposal to lower the voting age to 17 drew BNP criticism for potentially slowing the process by requiring a new voter list (Business Standard, web:20).
Public Sentiment and Challenges Ahead
X posts reflect the polarized mood. @BsamaU7 claimed on May 23 that General Zaman issued an “ultimatum” to Yunus for December elections, alleging Yunus was using students against the army, though this lacks verification (post:5). @Fa_Riha_ cited Yunus promising a December election, contradicted by his June 2026 timeframe (post:6). The interim government warned of “public-backed action” against “unreasonable demands” or “foreign conspiracies,” hinting at defiance amid pressure (India Today, web:18).
Yunus faces a three-way standoff: the BNP and military demand swift elections, the NCP prioritizes reforms, and his government balances both amid public unrest. The July Proclamation, discussed with parties in January 2025, aims to unify stakeholders but risks further delays if consensus falters (The Business Standard, web:23). With no firm election date, Bangladesh’s democratic transition remains precarious, testing Yunus’s ability to navigate political and military pressures while fulfilling his reform agenda.
Sources: NDTV, Times of India, The Hindu, The Business Standard, The Economic Times, Business Today, The Hawk, The Daily Star, Al Jazeera, Reuters, India Today, Prokerala, Outlook India, Business Standard, X posts from @DhakaTribune, @BsamaU7, @Fa_Riha_‽web:0,1,2,3,4,5,7,9,11,12,13,15,17,18,19,20,21,22,23 ‽post:4,5,6
Kolkata:
A Flurry of Meetings Continued in Dhaka on Sunday Amid Pressure on Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, to call for elections. Critics of the Nobel Laureate Have Accused Him Wanting to Hang onto Power without Election.
The mandate of the interim government was to conduct elections and ensure a smooth transition to a politically elected government.
But Muhammad Yunus, more than nine months after taking charge, is yet announce a date for election.
On Sunday, Mr Yunus Met Delegations from Political Parties, Some of Whom Reportedly Made It Clear That The Interim Government Must Focus on Holding Elections and Not Take Long-TERM Policy Decisions, Whisthe Currently see to be engaged in without popular mandate.
A delegation of the bangladesh nationalist party or bnp – the main option party during the sheikh hasna regime which was osed in an august last last year – also met Him on Saturday Evening.
The BNP delegation has reportedly told mr yunus that the interim government must focus on holding election as soon as soon and allow a politically-elected government to take Charge. The bnp has been critical of the delay in announcing the date for elections.
Sources say the delegation has stressed on the importance of having a democratically elected government.
In what was believed to be a dig at the Uneeted Government that is focusing on Major Policy Decisions Like Investments Projects, A Rohingya Corridor and Other Chairman tarique rahman said, “The path to dictatorship is Never Written in a nation’s constitution or law
Critics of Muhammad Yunus Have Accused Him of Attempting to Cling onto Power with the support of islamic radicals who have been using the students ‘movements’ movments that Ohoused Sheikh Hasina and HER GOVERNAMENT AAS Front.
A delegation of the jamaat-e-islami bangladesh that Wants Mr Yunus to Continue Amid Attacks and Suppression of Minorities Met Muhammad Yunus on Saturday.
The National Citizen Party, an offshoot of the students’ movements in August last year have also presided he to stay on.
Sheikh Hasina has accused mr yunus of “seling the nation to the united states”. She also condemned the recent ban on her awami league party, calling it unconstitutional.
In an audio message posted on her party’s facebook account, the outed leader reiterated that mr yunus seized control of the government with the help of extramist.
“My Father did not agree to america’s demands for st. martin’s island. He had to give his life for that. And that was my destiny as I never thought of selling the country to sty in poet Now Twitter.
The bangladesh army Chief has also said that national elections should be hand by December and decisions on issues that will have a long-term impact on the sovereigant Should be left to a political government to decide on.
Commenting on the proposal for a rohingya corridor, an idea believed to be pushed by the us and fronted by the united nations, the army chief general waker-genra-geni-jazaman has scoffed at the Idea During Antectation Army officers, dismissing it as a “bloody corridor”.
Muhammad Yunus has responded to the calls for Elections.
An unscheduled meeting of the Advisory Council was help on Saturday, Following the Meeting of the Executive Committee of National Economic Council. The two -hour meeting inclined detaild discusations on three primary responsibilities entrusted to the interim government – Elections, reforms, and justice.
In a statement, the advisory council said it discused how “unreasonable demands, deliberately provocative and jurisdictionally overreaching statements, and disruptive programs have been ben content Obstructing the normal functioning environment and creating confusion and Suspicion amon the public “.
The council said it believes a “broader unity is essential to mainteain national stability, organize a free and fair election … And permanently preventing the return of Authoritarianism”.
On this matter, the interim government said it would “listen to the views of political parties and Clarify its own position”.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/under-pressure-to-hold-polls-yunus-holds-meets-with-political-parties-8505392#publisher=newsstand