Bangladesh Faces Fresh Coup Threat as Tensions Rise Between Army and Interim Government

New Delhi – Bangladesh is once again witnessing signs of political unrest and a potential military coup, as tensions escalate between the country’s interim government and the military leadership. The Army Chief, General Waqar Us Zaman, has openly declared the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus as illegal, further deepening the political crisis.

Mohammad Yunus, who heads the interim government as Chief Advisor, has reportedly expressed his intention to resign amid growing pressure from the military and widespread protests. Violent demonstrations have broken out in the capital city Dhaka, while Yunus’s supporters have launched a massive rally under the banner “March for Yunus” to show their solidarity.

In response to the escalating crisis, Yunus convened an emergency meeting of the Advisory Council on Saturday. The day was packed with high-level political engagements. Following a session of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), Yunus held discussions with his advisors. Later in the evening, he was scheduled to meet with leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) at 7 PM and the Islamist political group Jamaat-e-Islami at 8 PM. A BNP spokesperson confirmed that the meeting would focus on the worsening political situation in the country.

The standoff between Yunus and the military has created a volatile environment. The army, under General Waqar, has demanded that elections be held by December 2025 at the latest. However, Yunus has proposed a more extended timeline, suggesting that elections should be held between January and June 2026. This disagreement has intensified the power struggle, with both sides preparing for a potential showdown.

Just nine months ago, Bangladesh underwent a dramatic transition when a student-led uprising ousted the long-standing government of Sheikh Hasina. The protests turned violent, forcing Hasina to flee to India on August 5, 2024, following a largely bloodless coup. Since then, Mohammad Yunus has led the interim administration, tasked with stabilizing the country and preparing for elections. However, his delay in announcing an election date has drawn criticism from both the army and several political factions.

The current crisis could take a decisive turn based on two key developments scheduled for today. First, the large-scale “March for Yunus” in Dhaka is expected to draw thousands of supporters. The rally is set to take place at Shahbagh, where participants will demand that Yunus be allowed to continue in office for five years and that electoral reforms be implemented before any elections are held.

Second, crucial meetings with BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami leadership could determine Yunus’s political survival. Interestingly, even some fundamentalist parties have come out in support of Yunus, opposing the military’s growing influence. While BNP also wants elections, it is wary of missing a chance to return to power and may consider aligning with Yunus if it serves their political interests.

The coming days are critical for Bangladesh. With rising public anger, divided political loyalties, and a defiant military leadership, the nation stands at a crossroads. The army could move to oust Yunus forcibly, or he could strengthen his position by forging alliances with major political parties. Either outcome would significantly impact the region’s stability.

For now, all eyes are on Dhaka as the situation continues to unfold.

Team Maverick.