Bangladesh Interim Leader Md Yunus to Stay in Office, Says Planning Advisor

Dhaka : Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus is not stepping down, confirmed Planning Advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud after a closed-door meeting of the Advisory Council at the National Economic Council. The confirmation comes amid rising tensions within the interim government and growing pressure from political parties.

Mahmud said Yunus acknowledged the serious challenges faced by the government but made it clear that he remains committed to overcoming them. “He is staying on,” Mahmud told the Daily Star. He also denied speculation of a mass resignation within the advisory council, stating, “We cannot walk away now.”

The interim government, which came into power last August with the support of civil society and pro-uprising groups, has been facing mounting criticism from both political parties and internal members. Pressure has intensified from opposition parties like the BNP and groups like the National Citizens Party (NCP), who are calling for the resignation of several advisors, accusing them of political bias.

On May 21, NCP’s Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari accused the advisory team of favoring the BNP, while BNP’s Ishraque Hossain demanded a reshuffle to ensure neutrality.

Adding to the turmoil, the military — a major force in the transition — has reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s approach. In a recent meeting with Yunus, top military leaders demanded that elections be held by December and expressed concern over being sidelined from a proposed humanitarian route through Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

The following day, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman addressed senior officers’ frustrations about exclusion from strategic discussions. The military has meanwhile ramped up internal security efforts in response to unrest.

Despite reports of Yunus expressing private frustration on May 22, citing political interference and lack of cooperation, he remains committed to his role. His office reaffirmed the interim government’s focus on free elections, reform, and justice.