Mission not over, interim govt stands firm

Staff Reporter :

Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud affirmed on Saturday that Bangladesh’s interim government will not step down before completing its mandate, despite intensifying speculation about the possible resignation of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.

Speaking to reporters following an unscheduled meeting of the Advisory Council after a routine session of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec), Mahmud said, “We are not going anywhere until our job is done.”

Addressing widespread rumours reported in both domestic and international media, Mahmud clarified that Yunus had not indicated any intention to resign. Instead, he acknowledged the many obstacles facing the administration but stressed their resolve to overcome them.

The unscheduled meeting, held at the NEC conference room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, reportedly focused on identifying bureaucratic and institutional barriers hindering the government’s progress.

Mahmud underscored the gravity of the interim government’s mission, stating that the country’s future depended on the successful completion of their responsibilities.

He called on all political and institutional actors-including those involved in the mass uprising that ushered in the current administration-to offer their cooperation.

Emphasising that none of the advisers had sought their positions voluntarily, Mahmud said they had accepted a national duty and would not abandon it halfway through.

He declined to comment on whether the meeting included discussions on a timeline for national elections-an issue that remains central to public discourse.

The interim government, which came to power following a mass uprising last year, is under increasing pressure to expedite the transition back to an elected administration. While it has initiated reforms, uncertainty surrounds the political roadmap, fuelling speculation of internal discord.

In a strongly worded statement issued after the emergency Advisory Council meeting, the interim government warned that if its functioning is obstructed – whether through internal resistance, external pressure, or foreign conspiracies – it will present the situation to the public and act accordingly.

The statement reiterated the administration’s commitment to reforms, justice, and free and fair elections, aligning with the core demands of the July uprising.

The council expressed concern over a concerted campaign to derail the government’s mission, citing unreasonable demands, provocative rhetoric, and jurisdictional overreach as attempts to create public confusion and undermine governance.

Just hours before scheduled talks between Chief Adviser Yunus and leaders of the BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami – both of whom have criticised the government’s stance on key issues-the council reasserted that national interests would take precedence over party agendas.

Analysts view the statement as a sign of rising tensions between the interim government and segments of the political establishment, and as a potential warning of escalation if ongoing disruptions continue.