Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said that it is the political parties that will decide on the nature and extent of reforms, which in turn will determine how soon the election can be held.
This, however, will be entirely dependent on the consensus among the political parties only, since seeking opinion of the people would require a referendum, he said in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam yesterday.
“The sooner the reforms, the sooner the elections. And if the political parties say they don’t want reforms, then even sooner,” he said.
Prof Yunus explained his vision for reforms following the reports of the six major commissions, including on electoral reforms and constitutional reforms. He said that the interim government would strive to get to a political consensus in the quickest possible time on the next polls.
“We are not going to impose anything,” he said before elaborating that his administration was merely facilitating the process.
Asked about a specific timeframe of the interim government’s tenure, he said he is not giving a concrete timeframe intentionally. “Then people would be looking at that and try to hurry you through to the elections regardless of the reforms.”
On the election roadmap, Yunus said there would be two parallel and simultaneous processes – one for reform and one for election preparations. “The Election Commission will be declared very soon and it will proceed at its own pace of its own accord. I will have nothing further to do with that.”
However, the economist turned social banker pointed out that the Election Commission would not be able to function till the electoral reforms commission submits its report. “And the report would not be enough by itself because there will have to be political consensus regarding it.”
The reforms will initially depend on the six commissions’ reports due by late December, he said. But the government would not be able to use those reports before there is a political consensus. “We will sit with all political parties to hear what they want.”
Yunus said the news outlets would also articulate their opinion through articles and editorials. “We will also seek opinions of the civil society.”
In his opinion, the timeline for reforms will depend on how soon the political parties can reach a consensus. If the political parties say they do not want reforms anymore and demand elections instead, the interim government would do exactly that. “So be it. Who am I to say no?”
The six reform commissions are expected to submit their reports by the end of December, and the government will have ample time to arrive at a consensus on the reform timeline by July 2025, he said when asked about a timeline for reforms.
“It really depends on the political parties, there is no point asking me how long it will be.”
Asked how the government will find out the will of the people regarding reforms, he said that the government will hold talks with political parties as people’s representatives. “Otherwise, we would have to go for a referendum and that would be too cumbersome.”
When asked whether the Awami League would be a part of those discussions, the Nobel laureate said that would also be entirely up to the political parties. “If the parties want the Awami League to be part of the process, then it will very well be there. We have nothing to say about that.”
Asked about random murder cases against journalists without any evidence, the chief adviser acknowledged the unfairness, saying, “This was hurriedly done, following the old laws and practices.”
About the cancellation of accreditation cards of journalists, Prof Yunus said that he was briefed that the cancellation does not and will not affect their work as journalists, and that it will only bar them from freely entering the Secretariat.
He did not give a direct reply when pointed out that the cancellation did not conform to the rules.
Turning to the government’s foreign policy, the chief adviser said although he was admittedly closer to the Democrats, his government would surely be able to work with a Trump White House. He explained that when he was awarded the Congressional gold medal it was a unanimous decision. “Even Republicans voted for me. And no one has told me that they do not like me.”
Regarding the narrative in the Indian media and its portrayal of the changed scenario in Bangladesh, Yunus said he had even brought it up during his conversation with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. He said he had urged Modi to have Indian journalists visit Bangladesh to ascertain whether minorities were being persecuted. “Some of them have come since, but the narrative has not changed.”
Yunus said that he really wanted to revive Saarc because he thought it was a great means to further cooperation within South Asia and the sub-continent. “All the countries are actually keen on it. But India is not taken with the idea.”
But the chief adviser stressed that relations between Bangladesh and India were far more amicable and grounded in genuine friendship than what might appear at the moment. He said there may well be a difference of opinion but it would not define Bangladesh’s relationship with India.
He explained that the two neighbours have such a long history and are positioned in such a way and so close to each other that one could not really sustain without being friends with the other.
About China, Prof Yunus recounted from his recent New York trip to attend the UN General Assembly where the Chinese delegation wanted to meet him but it could not be an official sit-down for protocol issues.
Nevertheless, he held a long discussion with the Chinese foreign minister. “It was not an official meet, but we got together.”
The chief adviser said the Chinese delegation headed by their foreign minister had prepared a detailed and long statement which he reciprocated in kind. Both sides exchanged ideas about what they could do together.
Daily Star
