Political Eyes on Jamuna as Yunus Engages BNP, Jamaat

All eyes are on Jamuna, the official residence of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, as he gears up for critical meetings with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami tonight amid escalating political tensions. 

The Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, confirmed that Yunus held an unscheduled Council of Advisers meeting Saturday afternoon, following the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) session, to discuss pressing issues.

The BNP delegation, set to meet Yunus at approximately 7 PM, aims to address the volatile political climate and clarify misunderstandings with the interim government. 

A BNP standing committee member told UNB, “We’ve been invited to discuss the latest developments. We want to defuse tensions.” The party has learned that Jamaat-e-Islami will follow with a separate meeting, signaling Yunus’s push to engage major political players.

The BNP has publicly opposed Yunus’s resignation, warning it could spark a new crisis. Instead, they plan to urge him to expedite reforms and announce a clear election roadmap by December. 

“We’re not asking for his resignation,” said BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on a private TV channel. “We want a roadmap. If he resigns without one, that’s his choice.” 

The party has also demanded the removal of “controversial advisers,” including those allegedly tied to a new political party and the National Security Adviser, to ensure government neutrality.

Tensions flared after BNP’s Thursday ultimatum, with Standing Committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain threatening to reconsider cooperation unless an election timeline is set. 

Media reports suggested Yunus contemplated resigning, frustrated by protests and remarks from the Army Chief on Wednesday about the government and elections. 

However, no official confirmation of such plans has emerged.

The meetings come as speculation swirls about the interim government’s next steps, with the nation watching closely for signs of stability or further unrest.