Khosru Criticises Prof Yunus for Supporting Interim Govt

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday criticised Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus for suggesting that an interim government remains a viable option for Bangladesh, saying that the people's 16-year struggle was not to hand over power to a so-called “superhuman.”

Speaking to reporters after meetings with three political parties at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Khosru said, “The struggle over the past 16 years has been for the restoration of democracy, people’s voting rights, and national ownership—not for depending on any great individual to solve our problems.”

His comments came in response to Prof Yunus’ recent interview with Al Jazeera, where the Chief Adviser said that the people still see the interim government as a good solution and there’s no urgent demand for an immediate election.

Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, questioned who exactly Prof Yunus was referring to as "the people."
“There’s no justification in suggesting that people want to wait for some extraordinary figure. A government formed by the people’s vote will always be more accountable and legitimate,” he said.

BNP Calls for Election Before December

Khosru emphasized that the BNP, as a major political party representing public sentiment, is calling for elections to be held before December 2025.

He said nearly 50 political parties active in the movement against the previous Awami League regime have voiced clear support for elections within this year.

Suggesting a way forward, Khosru called for the announcement of a clear election roadmap, starting with a national charter reflecting consensus reform proposals. Once this is agreed upon, he urged the government to direct the Election Commission to set an election date and schedule.

Questions on Reform vs Democracy

Khosru also raised concerns that those supporting the interim setup may be prioritizing reform over democracy itself.
“It seems that democracy is being put on hold in the name of reform. This is not what people have sacrificed for,” he said.

He expressed hope that Prof Yunus would honor the commitment he made during earlier dialogues with political parties regarding timely elections.

BNP Engages in Dialogue With Allied Parties

As part of BNP’s liaison efforts with like-minded groups, Khosru—alongside Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and Vice Chairman Barkatullah Bulu—held meetings with three political parties:

    A 10-member delegation from NAP Bhasani led by Advocate Azharul Islam

    A 12-member delegation from Amjanatar Dal led by Moshiuzzaman

    An 8-member delegation from Bangladesh People’s Party led by Nazma Akter

BNP launched its political consultation initiative on April 17 to shape its strategy for the upcoming national election.