Dhaka: Bangladesh’s transitional political future is on edge as interim leader Muhammad Yunus is reportedly contemplating stepping down from his role as Chief Advisor, citing mounting frustration over the country’s persistent political gridlock. According to a BBC Bangla report published late Thursday, Yunus has expressed his growing sense of helplessness in the face of stubborn divisions among political factions, which have stalled any meaningful progress.
The speculation gained ground after Nahid Islam, a prominent figure from the National Citizen Party (NCP), visited Yunus following daylong rumours about his possible resignation. “We have been hearing about sir’s resignation since morning, so I went to meet him. He told me he is thinking about it,” Islam told BBC Bangla. “He feels the current situation is such that he cannot continue working.”
Yunus, who took charge following the dramatic student-led uprising of 2024 that led to the ouster of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was widely seen as a neutral figure acceptable to both the youth-led civic uprising and the military establishment. His appointment, facilitated by the powerful Students Against Discrimination (SAD) and endorsed by the military, marked a rare moment of unity in the country’s fractured political landscape. But that unity now appears to be crumbling.
Despite the growing uncertainty, Nahid Islam has appealed to Yunus to remain at the helm. “I told him to remain strong, for the sake of the country’s stability and future, and to honour the expectations created by the mass movement,” he said. While acknowledging that a lack of cooperation from the major political parties is hampering the administration’s effectiveness, Islam still holds out hope for a breakthrough. “I hope everyone will come together and support him,” he said.
Yet, Islam did not shy away from admitting the stark reality Yunus is facing. “Why should he stay if he doesn’t get that place of trust, that place of assurance?” he questioned, reflecting the precariousness of Yunus’s position.
The deepening political crisis is also being watched closely due to the military’s ambiguous posture. Although it played a key role in facilitating the peaceful departure of Hasina — flying her to India aboard a Bangladesh Air Force jet — the military has so far maintained a hands-off approach in governance. Its early support for Yunus and the SAD-led transition was seen as an endorsement for civilian-led change, but increasing restiveness in political quarters has sparked speculation over whether the military will maintain that distance.
