People still consider interim government as a good option

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus said that the people of Bangladesh still think that the interim government is a good option for them. They are not asking the interim government to leave outright yet.

He said these things in an interview given to Qatar-based media Al Jazeera on Sunday.

The interview titled 'Muhammad Yunus: Real Reform or Just a New Ruling Class in Bangladesh?' was published on Al Jazeera's website on Sunday.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus told Al Jazeera: "The people of the country are not asking the interim government to leave, but rather the government is moving towards organizing a good election."

Responding to a question whether the 'honeymoon' of the interim government after the fall of Sheikh Hasina is probably over now, he said: "Whether the honeymoon is over or not, the people of Bangladesh still think that the interim government is a good option for them."

In this twenty-eight-minute and fifteen-second interview, he talked about various issues including the July Revolution, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's departure to India, and corruption in the then government.

Regarding the election, he told Al Jazeera that he is determined to give Bangladesh a fair, impartial and exemplary election.

Stating that public expectations are still high for the interim government, he said: "If the list of reforms before the election is short, the election will be held by December and if the list is long, the election will be held by June next year."

In response to the question of whether the Awami League will be allowed to participate in the election, Dr. Yunus said: "A part of answer to this question will have to be determined by the Awami League. The party will first decide whether they will participate in the election. They have not announced anything yet."

"Apart from that, various issues may come to the fore, including what the Election Commission will respond to this."

In response to the question of whether he is leaving the issue of Awami League's participation in the election to the Election Commission, he said: "That is not the case. There are other political parties. They can also say that Awami League will not be able to participate in the elections under this law."

On the Rohingya issue, Dr. Yunus said: "We are working with international organizations and the United Nations on the Rohingya crisis. We are trying to ensure that they can return home safely."

Regarding his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit, the chief adviser said that he had asked Modi to keep Sheikh Hasina 'silent'.

In response, Modi said that it was not possible for him because if Sheikh Hasina said something using social media, he would not be able to control it.

On relations with the US, India, Pakistan and China, Dr. Yunus said: "We want to move forward with the principle of working together and will take mutually cooperative steps."