On Thursday, Nahid Islam, the convener of the National Citizen Party, visited Muhammad Yunus, and after the meeting, Islam announced that Yunus is contemplating resigning from his position. Speculation has been rife since then, with rumors swirling that Yunus may tender his resignation as early as tomorrow, Saturday.

The roots of the current crisis lie in the events of August last year, when Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government was toppled amid mass protests against perceived discrimination and authoritarianism. Hasina was forced to step down and leave the country, and an interim government was formed by the protesters. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed as the chief advisor of the interim government, which was expected to oversee reforms and prepare for national elections.

However, despite the lofty promises of change, the interim government has not introduced significant reforms. Instead, it has largely replaced officials loyal to the previous regime with Yunus’ close associates. The growing dissatisfaction among the public has been exacerbated by the ongoing delay in holding elections. While political parties have been clamoring for elections, the interim government, led by Yunus, has shown little willingness to schedule them before mid-2026.

This reluctance to act has further fueled tensions, especially with the recent intervention of Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman, who has urged the government to hold elections by December 2025. The pressure from both political parties and the military has sparked further speculation about Yunus’ future. A pro-Awami League barrister, Nijhum Majumdar, has even claimed that Yunus is set to resign on Saturday, adding weight to the rumors.

As the political crisis deepens, the question of when – or if – Bangladesh will hold free and fair elections remains uncertain, leaving the nation on edge. The potential resignation of Yunus could mark a turning point in the country’s fragile governance, with an already volatile situation threatening to spiral further out of control. The coming days will be crucial as political leaders and citizens alike brace for what could be a decisive moment in Bangladesh’s troubled political landscape. :