If political parties want elections without reforms, we’ll do that: Yunus tells AJ
“It is all a question of what people want, the political parties want. If the political parties say forget about it [state reforms], hold the election – we will do it,” he says
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has said the interim government will proceed with election preparations without implementing any reforms, should political parties want it.
"It is all a question of what people want, the political parties want. If the political parties say forget about it [state reforms], hold the election – we will do it," he said during a recent interview with Al Jazeera on the sidelines of COP29 in Azerbaijan.
"We are an interim government, not a perpetual one. A regular government lasts five years. The new constitution may say four years, probably because people want it to be faster. So, it [interim govt] should be under four years, that's for sure. It may be less," he said in reply to a question regarding the interim government's tenure.
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Following his answer, the host of the "Talk to Al Jazeera" show, Nick Clark, said that as per the estimated tenure, Yunus would be the head of the government for "pretty much an electoral term".
Yunus in response said, "I did not say that I will be [head of the government] for four years. I am saying this is the maximum we can go, but that is not our intention.
"Our intention is to get it done as quickly as possible."
Clark then asked Yunus if he would stand for election. "No, I am not a politician. I enjoy my role, and what I have been doing at the last stage of my life. I am not going to change that," Yunus said.
During the interview, Yunus also talked about state reforms, bringing back Sheikh Hasina from India, minority rights, climate change and other issues.
Answering a question on how Yunus sees Hasina currently residing in India and the statements she's making, the chief adviser said, "We complained about her doing that because this kind of destabilises Bangladesh. She is making speeches calling for movements inside of Bangladesh. This is not going to be helpful for Bangladesh at all.
"We drew attention to the Indian authorities that you are hosting her and that is fine, but please make sure that she does not create problems for us. Then we have to go back and complain to you that you are hosting something which is bad for us."
When Nick Clark drew the chief adviser's attention that Hasina is still calling herself the prime minister of Bangladesh, Yunus said, "She can call herself many things but that is not what the reality is. Even India says she is an ex-prime minister. So, even her host is not recognising her as anything but an ex-prime minister."
When asked if Yunus would be pushing for her extradition, he said, "Yes, because there is a legal process going on and, if found guilty, then definitely she will be asked for repatriation."
