Chief Advisor Yunus Seeks ‘National Unity,’ Meets Political Parties

Staff Correspondent

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has initiated discussions with political parties, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, to foster “national unity” amid Bangladesh’s tense political climate.

The talks began at 4 p.m. on Wednesday at Dhaka’s Foreign Service Academy. Leading the BNP delegation was Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, accompanied by senior policymakers Abdul Moeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmood Chowdhury, and Prof AZM Zahid Hussain. Jamaat’s delegation was headed by Amir Shafiqur Rahman and included key figures such as Mojibur Rahman and Mia Golam Parowar.

Representatives from various political groups, including the Liberal Democratic Party, Nagorik Oikya, and the Communist Party of Bangladesh, also joined the dialogue.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated, “The Chief Advisor will urge all political parties, civil society members, and student leaders to work together to address the nation’s current challenges.”

This initiative follows Yunus’ Tuesday meeting with leaders of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement. On Thursday, he is set to meet with religious leaders to continue the discussions.

Yunus assumed leadership after Sheikh Hasina fled to India on Aug. 5, following a student-led mass movement that unseated her government. Relations with India have since deteriorated amid allegations of minority persecution in Bangladesh, which Dhaka dismisses as “organized propaganda.”

Tensions spiked after the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari on sedition charges, triggering violent protests. The clashes left lawyer Saiful Islam Alif dead and escalated into an attack on Bangladesh’s Assistant High Commission in Agartala, India.

Describing the attack as “pre-planned,” the Bangladeshi government expressed “deep resentment” and called for restraint on both sides. Yunus’ call for unity seeks to stabilize the nation during this challenging period.