Many people anxiously ask me how long Dr. Yunus’ caretaker government will remain in power. Yunus himself has answered this question, saying that he will remain in office until his so-called reforms are implemented. At times, under pressure from the BNP, he has also mentioned that he will arrange elections by December of this year. Those who meticulously designed and brought him from Europe to install him in absolute power have already formed a “King’s Party.” This group is essentially a disguised B-team of Jamaat-Shibir. Their leader, Nahid, has stated that given the current chaotic situation in the country, it is not ready for elections.
They are not particularly concerned about elections because they are now deeply involved in the affairs of the government and thriving under Yunus’ shadow government, which has been inflated by corruption money. Kala Hasnat’s associates have formed a student front that engages in extortion, land grabbing, and power abuse across the country. They know that if elections take place, they will be thrown out of power. So, they are not at all interested in or committed to holding elections quickly and handing power back to elected representatives, just as they were not truly active in their so-called quota reform movement. (Haha… The taste of power is like a tiger tasting human flesh—once they get a taste, they don’t let go! Everyone who goes to Lanka becomes a Ravana, but only Hasina is to blame!)
It is clear that their goal is to prolong the constitutional vacuum under the pretext of Sheikh Hasina’s trial and so-called reforms. Even as an Awami League supporter, I must admit that Sheikh Hasina manipulated the last two national elections to extend her rule. To achieve this, she made various compromises with extremist communal forces, sheltering traitors within her own ranks. The influence of extremist mobs grew so much that they ruthlessly used lethal tools such as blasphemy accusations in schools, markets, and against minorities. But she remained silent. Now, those very Frankenstein’s monsters have created an extremist atmosphere across the country, and Sheikh Hasina herself has become their latest victim.
I often wonder why we have failed to establish a neutral and fair electoral system in our country. Why does our country require a caretaker government for elections, unlike neighboring India or even Pakistan, where elections take place under the ruling government? Our people want free and fair elections to bring competent leaders to power. But that did not happen, which is why many parties, institutions, and even the general public unconditionally supported the so-called Islamic uprising, believing that it would lead to Sheikh Hasina’s downfall. Later, when they realized they had been deceived and had merely replaced one form of tyranny with another, it was too late—their path back was blocked. Now, the defeated forces of the Liberation War, the extremist Jamaat, have firmly taken over power, using Yunus as a front. Under their rule, the legal and judicial system has been sidelined, mob justice prevails, and they are punishing women in the streets, committing murders and rapes. So, why would they need elections? They already have complete control!
However, elections are necessary. Any unelected government that remains in power for too long creates a constitutional void. International financial institutions stop providing loans, foreign investments dry up, and an unelected government lacks credibility. On top of that, Yunus’ so-called revolutionary government is unconstitutional and controversial. Unlike previous caretaker governments, they are not neutral or widely accepted. Any election under them would be as manipulated as Sheikh Hasina’s last two elections, ensuring Jamaat’s absolute victory while the so-called “Citizen Party” becomes either Jamaat’s subservient opposition or merges into Jamaat altogether. The majority of the people do not support this mob government. They have hijacked power with the help of local and foreign malevolent forces, and they will not leave easily.
They will remain in power as long as they can, finding excuses to cling on like a dead weight on the people’s shoulders. Only a massive public uprising can remove them. That movement must be led by BNP, Awami League, and like-minded parties. But where is the strong leadership needed to mobilize the people on the streets, as seen in the anti-Ershad movement? Moreover, the Awami League has already been removed from the political landscape, and BNP will likely face the same fate soon—it is just a matter of time. Secular forces like the Gonojagoron Mancha are not allowed to rise, and the Hindu minority’s ISKCON movement has been brutally suppressed. Failing to manage Donald Trump, Dr. Yunus has instead aligned with the UN Human Rights Council. Meanwhile, Trump is too preoccupied with trade wars to focus on Bangladesh.
So, we return to the same question: When will Yunus leave? When will elections be held? Elections will only happen when the people take to the streets together, with all parties united. When that happens, the UN will change its stance and support the people. India, the US, and Europe will also step in. As the saying goes, “Your own hands are your greatest ally.” To escape the grip of the neo-fascist Yunus, there is no alternative to a mass uprising.
