New Delhi: Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus is “thinking of stepping down” amid growing public dissatisfaction and a lack of consensus among political factions. This comes amid renewed calls for a general election date and thousands of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supporters hitting the streets, demanding that their party’s candidate, Ishraque Hossain, be sworn in as mayor of Dhaka.
Nahid Islam, leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP) formed earlier this year, Thursday conveyed Yunus’s concerns, stating that the interim leader thinks he “cannot govern effectively” if political parties fail to reach a common ground, according to BBC Bangla.
The report states that following an unscheduled discussion at the advisory council meeting, Yunus expressed his desire to resign and address the nation on television. He voiced concern over the slanderous allegations surrounding his government’s performance and effectiveness.
“Following recent political developments, we had been hearing news about Sir’s (Yunus’s) resignation and that is why we went to meet him,” Islam said following his meeting with Yunus.
“Sir told me that if I am not able to work…the point and place from where you people brought me here after a mass uprising…for countrywide changes, for reform…but in this situation, these protests, I am now being held hostage,” Islam quoted Yunus as saying. “I won’t be able to work like this if you all, along with other political parties, are not able to reach common ground.”
According to BBC Bangla, Islam has requested Yunus to reconsider.
“Through the mass uprising, we had certain desires and wishes. Considering our national security and for the future of this country, he needs to remain strong. Also, he needs to remain united along with all other political parties and reach a consensus. I hope everyone will cooperate with him,” Yunus said. “If the political party (BNP) wants him to resign now…. Why will he stay if he does not get that place of trust, that place of assurance?”
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Yunus’s ‘inability to balance power centers’
The immediate trigger for the current turmoil is the BNP’s protest demanding the swearing-in of its candidate Hossain as Dhaka’s mayor. The party alleges that the interim administration has blocked an Election Commission ruling that affirmed Hossain’s victory in the disputed 2020 mayoral race. Tensions have escalated, with demonstrators accusing government advisers of political interference and calling for their resignation.
Critics argue that Yunus’s administration has fuelled the crisis by appointing loyalists from the NCP and Jamaat-e-Islami, while sidelining the BNP.
“There are three key power centres in Bangladesh right now—the Army, the BNP, and the student-led groups. Yunus aligned too closely with the students, who, despite their visibility, lack real political weight. A student rally might draw a few hundred, while a BNP rally can bring out tens of thousands. Now that both the Army and BNP, who initially backed him, have distanced themselves, Yunus finds himself isolated,” Mubasher Hasan, an expert on Bangladesh politics and the Executive Director of Sydney Policy and Analysis Centre in Australia told ThePrint.
“His biggest failure has been an inability to balance these power centers. While he called for reforms like the July Charter, he failed to deliver what mattered most—a clear timeline for elections. None of the major parties demanded the July Charter, it was the students’ demand. Yunus remained heavy on rhetoric but light on action,” Hasan further said.
He added: “Even if he doesn’t resign, his legitimacy has eroded. Legitimacy requires both legal authority and popular support—he now lacks both. The growing mistrust among stakeholders is not accidental, it’s a direct result of his own political miscalculations.”
The NCP, formed from the student-led uprising that led to Hasina’s downfall, too has been critical of the interim government’s progress. Nasiruddin Patwari, the NCP’s chief coordinator, stated that the party would not participate in elections under the current Election Commission, accusing it of bias and demanding reforms before any electoral process.
“The NCP, from the outset, pursued a flawed political strategy. Their approach centered on attacking the BNP and drawing false equivalencies with the Awami League, branding both as authoritarian. Now, as they reject participating in elections under the current Election Commission, it’s worth noting that many EC members were appointed by Yunus himself. This stance appears less about principle and more as part of a broader political maneuvering”, Hasan added.
BNP & army Vs students & Yunus
The BNP has intensified protests, leading to widespread demonstrations and disruptions in Dhaka.
The army, once a key supporter of Yunus’s leadership, has also expressed concerns. Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman emphasised the need for political stability and called for national elections to be held by December 2025. Yunus has not made any official announcement of elections yet.
In an address at Dhaka Cantonment Wednesday, Zaman made a decisive appeal for the preservation of national sovereignty, constitutional order, and a swift return to democratic governance.
Addressing officers across all ranks, both in person and online, General Zaman laid out the Army’s clear stance on critical national issues, including the proposed Rakhine humanitarian corridor, foreign interference, delayed reforms, and the urgent need for elections.
He categorically rejected any possibility of establishing a humanitarian or strategic corridor to Myanmar’s Rakhine State, stating, “there will be no corridor, none whatsoever”, adding that such decisions must come from a democratically elected government and reflect the will of the people, not external agendas.
Addressing broader concerns about foreign involvement, including discussions around handing over control of Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), General Zaman insisted that such matters require public and political consultation. He also criticised the interim government’s lack of communication with the military regarding key international issues, including UN reports.
“We found out about the UN report from outside sources, not our own government,” he said, calling it unacceptable and deeply troubling.
The Army Chief called for a smooth political transition, stating clearly that a newly elected government must take charge by 1 January, 2026. While acknowledging the integrity of Yunus and his team, he noted their lack of political experience and underlined that lasting national leadership must come from elected representatives.
He warned that Bangladesh risks becoming a pawn in global power rivalries, adding, “The country is drifting toward becoming a proxy battlefield.”
“The military holds significant influence in Bangladesh, and Dr Yunus now appears isolated and disheartened, largely due to the lack of support from Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman. His reluctance to announce an election date, exclusion of the military from critical decisions, preferential treatment of student-led protest groups, and absence of meaningful electoral reforms have all deepened the crisis,” Hasan said.
“Waker is more powerful than Yunus. Yunus failed to effectively manage power between key stakeholders neutrally and hold an election. Yet, despite these setbacks, there remains cautious optimism that he can still lead the country toward a credible democratic transition. He will not resign yet,” Hasan added.
‘Pushing for political unity than actually stepping down’
Academic-activist Rezaur Rahman Lenin told ThePrint, “The army chief has called for key decisions like the Myanmar corridor and refugee policy to be made by an elected government, not the interim administration. He’s pushing for elections by December or January, but Dr Yunus has only proposed a vague window from December 2025 to June 2026, without consulting political parties or civil society.”
This ambiguity, he added, undermines trust, especially as national security issues are being handled without a clear mandate. “While the current government gained support through uprisings against Sheikh Hasina, that legitimacy is fading without progress or accountability, particularly on delayed justice for past abuses.”
Lenin further said that Yunus’s hint at resignation may be more about “pushing for political unity than actually stepping down”.
“Yunus has conveyed via his secretariat that he is not resigning,” he said, adding that the army chief is not against Yunus at all, but his actions are leading to “chaos, confusion and a lot of chatter”.
Meanwhile, political tension and online blame games continue. The BNP, NCP, and Islamist groups remain divided, with each needing time to prepare for elections, he further said. “However, holding elections now could unfairly favor BNP, potentially giving them two thirds power, which carries its own risks. Delaying elections, though, risks prolonged unrest and institutional distrust.”
This report has been updated to include comments by academic-activist Rezaur Rahman Lenin.
(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)
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