Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has alleged that the Awami League, having fled the country, is now making concerted efforts to plunge Bangladesh into instability.
In an interview with BBC Bangla, published on Monday (3 March), Yunus remarked that the party had left the nation in ruins.
“When I assumed leadership, I had no anticipation of heading a government. The country had been reduced to rubble, with nothing functioning as it should. We had to navigate through the wreckage to restore order,” he said.
Addressing the state of governance, Yunus noted that his initial focus was to “unearth the real face of the nation from the debris and simplify people’s daily lives.”
As the government stabilised, attention shifted towards the future and the direction in which Bangladesh should progress.
He asserted that systemic reform was imperative, given that the former regime’s authoritarian rule endured for 16 years without challenge.
“Three elections were held where voters were virtually absent. The nation was plagued by rampant corruption and misgovernance. The key question now is how to extricate ourselves from this quagmire. Institutional reforms are essential for that,” he added.
Yunus underscored the progress made under the interim administration, stating, “We have stabilised the economy and restored both domestic and international confidence. There is no question that the world now trusts us. Every nation has extended support, acknowledging that governance has significantly improved. The level of assistance we have received is remarkable.”
Commenting on the formation of a new student-led political party, Yunus clarified that individuals desiring to engage in politics have voluntarily resigned from government positions.
“Three student representatives were part of the administration. One who decided to pursue politics resigned from the government and will now operate as a private citizen. There is no restriction on political participation,” he explained.
On whether Awami League would be banned, he stated, “We are all citizens of this country, with equal rights. No one can be stripped of their rights, and everyone is entitled to participate in the political process. However, those who have committed injustices must face justice.”
