Will Muhammad Yunus Step Down? Bangladesh Faces Political Rift and Military Pressure

Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus is thinking of resignation as political backing erodes and disagreements with the army grow. It is hard for Yunus, according to National Citizen Party leader Nahid Islam, to bring all political parties onto a common platform.

Meanwhile, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman calls for early elections and attacks the interim government for not including the military in important decisions. Despite his pledge to hold elections by June 2026, Muhammad Yunus is under growing pressure to move sooner.

Political Support for Yunus

Nahid Islam uncovered to BBC Bangla that Muhammad Yunus is seriously contemplating his resignation. Yunus explained to Nahid Islam that things have reached a point where he feels incapable of going on. AFP has confirmed from a source that Yunus has threatened his Cabinet that he will step down unless political parties commit to support him completely.

The threat comes in the wake of huge protests by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) loyalists in Dhaka. The BNP, which turned out to be a key opposition power, is calling for firmer promises from the interim government.

Interim Government Faces Army Criticism

Tensions between the interim government and Bangladesh’s army have intensified. Many critics blame Muhammad Yunus for failing to improve the country’s condition after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster last year. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman openly criticised the interim government for excluding the military from important decisions.

He stressed that many key actions are taken without proper consultation with the army. Furthermore, Waker-Uz-Zaman highlighted the urgent need for inclusive elections to restore legitimacy and public trust.

Election Roadmap Still Unclear

Muhammad Yunus has pledged to conduct elections by June 2026 at the latest. The BNP, however, insists on a concrete election date. Senior BNP leader Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain issued a warning that without a defined roadmap, the BNP support could decline.

He emphasized that issuing an announced fixed schedule of elections should be the topmost priority. Army Chief Zaman is also urging earlier elections. He characterized the situation as chaotic and deteriorating by the day, implying that earlier elections would stabilize the nation.

Growing Pressure and Indeterminate Future

Political standoff and military tensions have put Bangladesh’s caretaker government on thin ice. Yunus’s potential resignation indicates an escalating crisis. Without political convergence and military cooperation, the task of governing will continue to be challenging.

At the same time, protests by the opposition and calls by the masses for free elections are increasingly vocal. The caretaker government should step in decisively to establish a clear direction before the situation aggravates further.