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‘The people of the country are not asking the interim government to leave, but rather the government is moving towards organizing elections to give a good election’. Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus said this in an interview with Qatar-based media Al Jazeera.

The interview titled ‘Muhammad Yunus: Real Reform or Just a New Ruling Class in Bangladesh’ was published on Al Jazeera’s website on Sunday. In the long interview, he talked about various issues including the July Revolution, former dictatorial Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s escape to India, and corruption in the former government. The Chief Advisor expressed his firm determination to give a fair, impartial and exemplary election to Bangladesh. He said that if the list of reforms before the election is short, the election will be held by December and if the list is long, the election will be held by June next year. Stating that public expectations for the interim government are still high, he said, “People think the interim government is still a good solution for them.”

Al Jazeera’s presenter asked Dr. Yunus, “Is it right to say that the ‘honeymoon’ of the interim government after the fall of Sheikh Hasina is probably over now?” There are some big challenges, which you have to give specific answers to. Because, the old powers have influence, many may want to exploit the political vacuum. In response, Dr. Yunus said, “Whether the honeymoon is over or not, the people of Bangladesh think the interim government is still a good solution for them. They are not yet asking the interim government to leave directly, but rather the government is moving towards organizing elections to give a good election. The people are not yet talking about a quick transfer of power.”

Can Bangladesh solve the problem of millions of Rohingya refugees alone? In response, Dr. Yunus said, “We are working with international organizations and the United Nations on the Rohingya problem. We are trying to ensure that they can return home safely.” So that some understanding can be created between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Awami League will have to decide whether to join the elections: In response to the question of whether Awami League will be allowed to participate in the elections, Dr. Yunus said that part of the answer to this question will have to be determined by the Awami League. The party will first decide itself whether to join the elections. They have not announced anything yet. Apart from that, various issues may come to the fore during the elections, including what reaction the Election Commission gives during the elections. When asked whether he is leaving the issue of Awami League participating in the elections to the Election Commission, he said that it is not the case. There are other political parties who can say that Awami League will not be able to participate in the elections under this law.

Want to move forward with the policy of working together: In the interview, the topic of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Dr. Yunus in Bangkok, Thailand, came up. Dr. Yunus said that he had met Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit. There, he asked Sheikh Hasina to keep ‘silent’. In response, Modi said that it was not possible for him. If Sheikh Hasina says something using social media, she will not be able to control it.

Regarding relations with the US, India, Pakistan and China, Dr. Yunus said, we want to move forward with the principle of working together. We want to take mutually cooperative steps together.

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