Have no intentions of entering politics or forming a party: Yunus

Despite having a significant role in transforming the country into a New Bangladesh, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said he has no intentions of entering politics or forming a political party.

“Our job is to get things settled and establish a new reform agenda,” he explained, adding that the timeline for elections remains uncertain. 

“When the election preparation is done, we will consult with political parties,” said Yunus in a candid interview with the Financial Times.

A Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2006 for his pioneering work with Grameen Bank, Yunus has previously faced scrutiny from Hasina’s administration, which critics labelled as a personal vendetta. 

His interim cabinet, now laying the groundwork for new elections, includes two student leaders and has established ten commissions aimed at reforming critical institutions such as the police, judiciary, and public administration.

Yunus, Bangladesh’s interim leader, has made a bold statement accusing the political party of ousted authoritarian leader Sheikh Hasina of embodying “all the characteristics of fascism.” 

He asserted that the Awami League, Bangladesh’s oldest and largest political party, “has no place” in the country’s politics following Hasina's removal by a student-led revolt in August.

Yunus emphasised his intention to take a firm stance against the Awami League, highlighting the need for a political environment that upholds democratic values. 

“In the short run, definitely she has no place—the Awami League doesn’t have a place—in Bangladesh,” he said. He criticized the party for controlling the populace, political machinery, and institutions to serve their interests, declaring, “No fascist party should exist in a democratic system.”

Under Hasina’s over 15-year rule, the Awami League has faced accusations of rigging elections, perpetrating extrajudicial killings, and seizing state institutions. In light of Hasina's departure, public debate has emerged regarding the party's future, with suggestions ranging from a temporary suspension to a complete ban.

While Yunus speculated on the potential disintegration of the Awami League, he clarified that his interim administration, described as “not a political government,” would not dictate the party's fate. Decisions regarding the League’s participation in future elections, he noted, would arise from a consensus among political parties themselves.

Sheikh Hasina’s current location in India remains unclear. Still, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, a former MP and Awami League organising secretary, expressed that the party is prepared to participate in upcoming elections.

The overthrow of Sheikh Hasina has also complicated Bangladesh's relations with India, her main foreign ally. Yunus indicated that his government intends to pursue Hasina’s extradition, but only after a verdict is issued by a domestic criminal tribunal that recently issued an arrest warrant against her and 45 others for crimes against humanity. 

“We’ll try to get her back through the extradition treaty with India,” he said, stressing that pursuing extradition before a verdict is not viable.

In August, Sajeeb Wazed, Hasina’s son, defended his mother against allegations of violence, claiming that she is prepared to confront any charges, asserting that she has “done nothing illegal.”

Yunus has acknowledged concerns from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the safety of Bangladesh's minority Hindus since the new government took over. Many in New Delhi are reportedly sceptical of what they view as a US-backed regime change.

The aftermath of Hasina's ousting has seen numerous Awami League supporters either flee into exile or go into hiding, with a wave of retribution reportedly leading to several deaths among those previously aligned with the regime, including members of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party. 

The health ministry reported around 800 fatalities, encompassing protesters, bystanders, and police, though human rights groups have yet to verify allegations of mass atrocities against Hindus.

Yunus acknowledged “some incidents” of violence targeting Hindus, labelling them as primarily linked to their affiliation with the Awami League rather than their religion. 

“Most of the Hindus [attacked in August] supported the Awami League,” he clarified, suggesting that critics have “transformed the narrative.”

He also noted that the lack of support from New Delhi, with which Bangladesh shares critical power, water, and infrastructure projects, has been detrimental to his administration. 

Yunus extended an invitation to Modi, stating, “We must have the best relationship that any two neighbours should have.”