The government commission formed to review activities of the Nobel-winning Grameen Bank has said no-one else can use the name ‘Grameen’ as per law.
He spoke to reporters about his availability after a discussion with Bangladesh Kalyan Party at the Yunus Centre in the capital’s Mirpur on Monday.
A Kalyan Party press note said a team of representatives headed by the party’s Chairman Syed Muhammad Ibrahim shares views with the Nobel laureate.
“Yunus spoke about his hopes for long-term peace in Bangladesh. He said the country will be in peace if the election is held under the caretaker government.”
“He is willing to participate in talks with the government if it seeks his advice, said Yunus in reply to a query,” it added.
Yunus on Aug 22 during a joint press conference with Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Janata League President Kader Siddiqui said, “A free and fair election was not possible without the caretaker government” and all political parties needed to contest the looming elections.”
The veteran of one failed political campaign made the overtures backing the opposition BNP amid its standoff with the ruling Awami League over the mode of the crucial balloting barely five months away.
The Awami League-led government through the 15th Amendment to the Constitution scrapped the provision for polls under caretaker government which means the general election will be held under the current government.
The BNP and its allies since then have been campaigning for the restoration of the provision.
Yunus did not issue comments on current political issues before this but recently he is holding discussions with some fringe political parties.
Before meeting Kader Siddiqui, a team of representatives of Bikalpadhara Bangladesh led by its President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury met Yunus.
BNP Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Jun 27 and representatives of the main opposition took an invitation in that very month from Chairperson Khaleda Zia to see him.
Yunus on Monday said, “The political parties are coming to me. I am not the one knocking on anyone’s doors.”
BNP’s Standing Committee member Rafiqul Islam Mia welcomed Yunus’ call for caretaker system but the ruling party leaders have responded with heavy criticisms.
Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith said Yunus is a covert politician.
Member of Awami League’s Advisory Council Mohammad Nasim in an address to Yunus said, “Recently you have issued many thoughtless comments, you have spoken on behalf of caretaker government. My question to you is who has prompted you to preach?
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal chief and Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu reminded Yunus about how he had to back away from his announcement to form a new political outfit.
“I hope you will not abandon the field this time. It is good to see such a respectable man in politics. Now we will speak to Muhammad Yunus the way we do in politics.”
Like Kader Siddiqui, Kalyan Party Chairman Muhammad Ibrahim has vowed their support to the Nobel laureate.
He urged Yunus to contribute to the national socio-political landscape of Bangladesh for the sake of peace.
Source: Bd news24