Muhammad Yunus planning to resign from Bangladesh's interim government: Reports

During unofficial discussions at an advisory council meeting, he voiced his desire to resign and address the nation through a televised speech, sources told The Daily Star.

He talked about his worries over aspersions on his government's performance and duties, sources told the newspaper.

Amid speculation over his resignation, Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam, Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam, who were part of the July-August Uprising last year that led to a sudden political change last year, met Yunus on Thursday.

Another source told Bangladeshi leading newspaper Dhaka Tribune, "The chief adviser feels somewhat embarrassed due to the continuous agitation on various issues recently. He does not want to remain in office if he cannot work independently. This situation was discussed during the meeting.”

Discussion During Meeting

The meeting, which began shortly after 7pm, lasted just over 30 minutes and focused on the worsening political situation, NCP Joint Member Secretary Mushfiq Us Salehin told bdnews24.com.

National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam

National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam told BBC Bangla that he met Yunus since he was weighing resignation.

BNP Demands December Polls

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the outfit which had ruled the South Asian nation in the past,  asked the interim government to downsize the advisory council, confine itself to routine works, and unveil a plan for elections by December.

The party demands immediate removal of advisers Mahfuj Alam and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan and National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman in order to protect what the party says is the government's impartiality and image, reported The Daily Star.

Speaking on the general polls,  BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury told the newspaper: "The nation expects an election in December."

If the election is to be held in December, the mode of the government should be caretaker-like, he said, adding that a caretaker administration had 10 advisers.