Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus resigns as interim leader, handing power to the BNP after landmark elections and democratic reforms referendum.
DHAKA: Interim leader Muhammad Yunus announced his resignation in a national address on Monday. The 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner declared the end of his caretaker administration.
“Today, the interim government is stepping down,” Yunus said. He urged the nation to continue the democratic practices established during his tenure.
Yunus returned from exile in August 2024 following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government. He described the day of the uprising as a “great liberation” for the country.
He has since led Bangladesh as its chief adviser. Yunus congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its leader Tarique Rahman on their landslide election victory last week.
“The people, voters, political parties, and stakeholder institutions linked to the election have set a commendable example,” he stated. Yunus added that the poll set a benchmark for future elections.
Voters also endorsed sweeping democratic reforms in a national referendum held concurrently. The proposed “July Charter” includes term limits for prime ministers and stronger judicial independence.
“We did not start from zero — we started from a deficit,” Yunus remarked. He said his administration rebuilt institutions and set a course for reforms.
The charter becomes binding on the winning parties, requiring parliamentary ratification. The BNP alliance secured 212 seats against the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance’s 77.
Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman conceded defeat, pledging to serve as a vigilant opposition. Newly elected lawmakers are scheduled to be sworn in on Tuesday.
Tarique Rahman is then set to become the next prime minister. The 60-year-old leads the South Asian nation of 170 million people.
Police records show five deaths and over 600 injuries from political clashes during the campaign. Voting day itself passed without major unrest despite preceding weeks of turbulence.
The Sun Malaysia
