Dhaka: Bangladesh’s political future hangs in the balance as interim leader Muhammad Yunus has reportedly signaled his intention to resign unless rival political factions reach a consensus on long-promised reforms, according to a prominent student leader.
Yunus, 84, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, assumed the role of acting prime minister in August following a mass student uprising that forced long-time leader Sheikh Hasina into exile in India. Since then, Yunus has pledged sweeping political and institutional reforms, but progress has stalled amid growing political discord and public frustration.
Nahid Islam, leader of the newly established National Citizen Party (NCP)—which emerged from last year’s protests—revealed that Yunus expressed deep frustration during a meeting on Thursday.
“He was clearly distressed,” Islam told journalists. “He said if he cannot fulfill the mandate to reform the system and ensure fair elections, he might have no choice but to step down. He feels cornered by political pressure and public impatience.”
Islam reiterated his party’s position that elections should only follow comprehensive reforms, warning that rushing into polls without changes would repeat the failures of the past.
The interim government now faces mounting pressure from all sides. While Yunus has hinted that elections could be postponed until 2026 to allow time for reform, opposition groups are demanding a quicker timeline. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has called for elections to be held by December, warning this week that continued support for the transitional government would be hard to justify without a clear electoral roadmap.
Further complicating matters, the country's military leadership has weighed in. Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman recently urged for elections by the end of this year during a speech at Dhaka cantonment, voicing concern over the current political instability.
Meanwhile, the situation has become more volatile following the suspension of the Awami League’s registration earlier this month, barring the influential party from participating in the next elections.
As the nation of 173 million awaits clarity, Yunus’s potential resignation could deepen the crisis, leaving Bangladesh without a clear path forward.
