Cheif Adviser Muhammad Yunus has said that no decision has been taken yet regarding the duration of the interim government or the date of the upcoming election.
In an exclusive interview with VOA Bangla in New York, following his address at the United Nations General Assembly last Friday, about whether the council of advisers had discussed the matter, Dr Yunus responded, “We have discussed, but no decision has been made.”
He reiterated that while discussions have taken place, no formal conclusion has been reached.
Earlier, Chief of the Bangladesh Army General Waker-uz-Zaman voiced strong support for the interim government, stating that its objective was to carry out key reforms and conduct a credible national election within 18 months.
In an interview with Reuters on 23 September, General Waker-uz-Zaman noted that this time frame would ensure the smooth organisation of an acceptable national election.
When asked whether the election could be assumed to take place within 18 months, Dr Yunus remarked, “You can assume so if you wish, but that is not the government’s official stance. The government has not issued any opinion on this matter yet. Therefore, the timeline will be set when the government announces it.”
Dr Yunus further clarified, “It is our responsibility to make the announcement. When you hear it from us, that will be the official date.”
On 5 August, amid a mass uprising of students and citizens, the then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India.
Following the Hasina government's collapse, Dr Muhammad Yunus was appointed chief adviser of the interim government on 8 August.
Since then, tensions between Bangladesh and India have become visibly strained.
Regarding Sheikh Hasina’s extradition, Dr Yunus remarked that the matter falls under legal jurisdiction and Bangladesh would follow due process to seek her return.
Speaking about relations with India, the chief adviser emphasised the mutual interest of both countries in maintaining close and cordial ties.
He expressed concern over occasional incidents, such as border shootings resulting in the deaths of young children, which he described as distressing.
“We do not believe these incidents were deliberate actions by the Indian government. Our goal is to eliminate the causes of such occurrences so that people can move about safely," he said.
Students played a leading role in the recent uprising, and representatives from the student movement are part of the interim government.
However, many students outside the government are seen attempting to exert influence in various sectors of the country.
When asked whether students were effectively running the country, Dr Yunus responded, “I have always said they should be in charge, not that they are. They should take control, as it is their future they will be shaping.”
To maintain law and order, the army has been granted magisterial powers for two months.
Addressing this issue, Dr Yunus stated, “There has been increasing unrest, including protests, particularly among garment factory workers. We realised that if the situation continues unchecked, it could escalate further. The army expressed that although they were present, they were not being heeded due to a lack of authority. So, we granted them magisterial powers to ensure they are taken seriously.”
When questioned about the investigation and prosecution of killings following the 5 August collapse of the Hasina government, especially the murders of police officers, Dr Yunus affirmed, “Anyone who has committed a crime will be prosecuted. Without that, justice cannot be served.”
In his interview, Dr Yunus also touched upon various significant matters, including Pakistan’s formal apology for the war crimes of 1971, the reactivation of SAARC through discussions with Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan, and his government's progress on constitutional reforms, including addressing recent ethnic clashes in Bangladesh’s hill districts and the Rohingya crisis.
On 11 September, marking one month since the interim government’s formation, Dr Yunus announced in a national address that six commissions had been established to spearhead key reforms in the areas of electoral processes, police administration, the judiciary, anti-corruption efforts, public administration, and constitutional amendments.
The chief adviser emphasised in his interview with VOA that the primary goal of his government is to complete vital reforms and organise a free, fair, and transparent election.
