Polls must be under non-party govt: Yunus

Grameen Bank Founder and Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus speaks at a press conference alongside Bangabir Kader Siddiqui, president of Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Janata League at Yunus Centre in the capital on Thursday.

Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday said the next national election must be held under a non-party neutral government to make it credible, acceptable and peaceful.

“There’s no scope to have a peaceful election without a non-party neutral (polls-time) government,” Prof Yunus said. “There must be an election and that is under a non-party neutral government.”

He observed that the black cloud of chaos is getting closer in Bangladesh, and if it happens for a section of people or some parties’ desire, the people of the country will not forgive them.

The microcredit pioneer and founder of Grameen Bank came up with the observation during a meeting with Krishak-Sramik Janata League leader Bangabir Kader Siddiqui at Yunus Centre in the capital.

Prof Yunus also laid emphasis on the participation of all political parties in the election and urged the political leaders to reach a compromise. “We appeal to our political leaders to reach a compromise. Resolve problems through talks.”

He said the people of the country do not want chaos and there is a need for the participation of all parties in the next polls. “Peace should prevail in the country.”

At the meeting, Kader Siddiqui said the next election cannot be held without non-party neutral government. “No body will accept the election without a caretaker government.”

He also said the country cannot be safe in the hands of those under whom Grameen Bank is not safe. “We need to protect the country from the hands of such unsafe people.”

Source: The Daily Star