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First Post
01-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Bangladesh party calls out Yunus' 'reform' excuse to delay polls: How many time will you...
Calling for elections in 2025, BNP leaders accused Bangladesh's Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, of stalling reforms to delay polls. In light of this, Yunus has called for a meeting with Khaleda Zia's party read more The turmoil in Bangladesh continues to persist as parties accuse the country's interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus of allegedly stalling reforms in a bid to delay polls. On Saturday, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Salahuddin Ahmed alleged that the Yunus administration is offering nothing, just empty gestures in the name of reform. Ahmed emphasised that Yunus has taken no concrete steps to ensure that the national elections can be held by 2025 and not get dragged into 2026. Meanwhile, the Nobel laureate said that the polls will be conducted between December 2025 and June 2026, insisting that reforms need to be implemented before the polls. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'How many times will you inaugurate these reforms?' asked the Standing Committee member of the BNP. According to Bangladeshi news outlet The Daily Star, Ahmed made these remarks while speaking at the event organised by Krishak Dal at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka. The event marked the 44th death anniversary of party founder Ziaur Rahman. 'You are showing a banana of reforms': BNP The BNP leader pointed out how the reforms are not substantive in reality. 'Again, in the third phase, you have merged things together … you are just showing us the 'banana of reforms',' he said. In light of this, Yunus has invited the parties for talks tomorrow. Referring to the chief adviser's latest calls for talks, Ahmed said: 'We've told you to compile what has already been discussed and present it to the nation. But instead, you're going through rituals with no real work being done. Why another fresh inauguration on June 2 for the third round? How many inaugurations does it take?' He went on to condemn Yunus for what he described as 'backtracking on earlier assurances'. 'You told us there would be an election by December, but then you backtracked. That is unfortunate,' he said. 'If merely speaking about reclaiming our democratic rights makes you uncomfortable, honourable chief adviser, that is truly disappointing. How much longer will you delay reforms using this excuse?' the Bangladesh politician furthered. The divide between the old and new parties in Bangladesh At a separate event at the Jatiya Press Club, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury responded to Yunus's comments, which he made during a session at the 30th Nikkei Forum in Tokyo on Thursday. At the event, Yunus said that only some politicians want elections this year. 'We don't want to leave the country with the old institutions remaining as it is. If we need a good job in the reforms, we have to wait for six more months [for the election]. Some opinions let's get the election done, but it is not all, just one particular party,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In response to this, Chowdhury claimed that only parties formed after the protests in the country don't want elections this year. 'Only the parties formed after August 5 don't want elections. At least 52 parties want polls by December. If someone says only one party wants elections, is that a truthful statement? Is it directed at us? What does it imply?' He insisted that those opposing a December election are 'only four or five parties', not even registered, and lacking public support. 'The interim government has no connection with the people. Everyone's doing whatever they want. More will do so, causing further damage. This cannot continue,' Chowdhury averred. 'Only an elected parliament, accountable to the people, can bring stability. After Sheikh Hasina fled, major changes took place. Any party that fails to recognise this has no future in Bangladesh,' he added. Overall, the tussle between Yunus and BNP continues to remain persistent.
NDTV
28-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Bangladesh Nationalist Party Holds Rally As Muhammad Yunus Leaves For Japan
A massive political rally commenced in Dhaka this afternoon by three affiliated organisations of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) - Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal - even as interim government advisor Muhammad Yunus embarked on a four-day Japan visit. The rally, titled "Rally for Establishing Youth Political Rights", will see BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to addressing the rally virtually as the chief guest. The organisers say lakhs of supporters are expected to congregate at the BNP's central office in Nayapaltan Mr Rahman's address will be closely watched as he has been critical of the Yunus-led interim government. A BNP delegation had met Mr Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on May 24 and demanded a clear and immediate roadmap for elections, which should be held by December. The BNP has often expressed its opposition on the interim government taking decisions on matters that have long-term implications for Bangladesh and wants it to focus on primarily holding elections and transfer power to a democratically elected government. The party had stated that the people of Bangladesh do not believe that an interim government has the jurisdiction to make such nationally important and long-term policy decisions. The BNP has told Mr Yunus that when it comes to decisions on the Rohingya corridor and Chattogram port, the government's statements and activities should have been in accordance with national interests. Mr Yunus, who has been facing protests over several issues, left for Tokyo on Wednesday on a four-day official visit to Tokyo to attend the 30th Nikkei Forum. He is also expected to hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on May 30 to strengthen Bangladesh-Japan ties. Seven Memorandums of Understanding MoUs are expected to be signed in the areas of investment, energy and technology. Protests have been taking place in Bangladesh, including at the heavily-guarded secretariat, over a move by the interim government in Bangladesh to clamp down on dissent by government employees. The interim government had issued an ordinance on Sunday allowing the Ministry of Public Administration to dismiss public servants for misconduct without lengthy procedures, which are seen as safeguards against arbitrary dismissals. This sparking outrage across the bureaucracy, with government employees calling the ordinance "repressive" and demanding its immediate rollback. The Mr Yunus-led government has faced pushback from the bureaucracy in recent times, with the Foreign Secretary leaving his position. Reports say he left over differences with the government over the Rohingya corridor in Bangladesh which the interim government is keen on pushing through.
Economic Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Bangladesh deploys special forces as employees protest new rules
Dhaka remained tense on Tuesday as government employees continued with their protests inside the main government secretariat for the fourth consecutive day despite strict security measures taken by the law enforcement agencies. Members of the special weapons and tactics unit were seen stationed at the main entrance of the secretariat, in addition to members of the Border Guard Bangladesh and Rapid Action Battalion, people based in Dhaka told ET. Nobody, except for the officials and employees of the secretariat, was allowed to enter the premises, they said, adding that even local journalists were not allowed entry. Protests are intensifying in Bangladesh also because business is sluggish, investment remains scarce and new jobs are not being created, according to the people. Amid the chaos, on Tuesday, death row convict Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam was acquitted of the charges of crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War. He was sentenced to death in 2014 by the International Crimes Tribunal, after having been accused of orchestrating mass killings in 1971. Between March and December 1971, under Azharul Islam's leadership, victims were abducted and confined in Bangladesh's Rangpur Town Hall, which was used as a rape camp, according to one charge against the Jamaat leader. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus was scheduled to leave Dhaka early Wednesday on a four-day official visit to Japan to attend the 30th Nikkei Forum and hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to boost bilateral cooperation.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bangladesh deploys special forces as employees protest new rules
Dhaka remained tense on Tuesday as government employees continued with their protests inside the main government secretariat for the fourth consecutive day despite strict security measures taken by the law enforcement agencies. Members of the special weapons and tactics unit were seen stationed at the main entrance of the secretariat, in addition to members of the Border Guard Bangladesh and Rapid Action Battalion, people based in Dhaka told ET. Nobody, except for the officials and employees of the secretariat, was allowed to enter the premises, they said, adding that even local journalists were not allowed entry. Protests are intensifying in Bangladesh also because business is sluggish, investment remains scarce and new jobs are not being created, according to the people. Amid the chaos, on Tuesday, death row convict Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam was acquitted of the charges of crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War. He was sentenced to death in 2014 by the International Crimes Tribunal, after having been accused of orchestrating mass killings in 1971. Between March and December 1971, under Azharul Islam's leadership, victims were abducted and confined in Bangladesh's Rangpur Town Hall, which was used as a rape camp, according to one charge against the Jamaat leader. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus was scheduled to leave Dhaka early Wednesday on a four-day official visit to Japan to attend the 30th Nikkei Forum and hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to boost bilateral cooperation.
