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Yunus seeks people's opinion

Haroon Habib

Mohammad Yunus

DHAKA: Bangladesh's Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus on Wednesday announced his intention to join politics and to quit as chief of the Grameen Bank, the organisation that made him the world's micro-credit legend.

Before flying to Kolkata on Sunday, Mr. Yunus had in an open letter to his countrymen asked for their views on his plan to float a political party. "If people want, I will join politics. This is the prime time for joining. But I need people's opinion about my joining politics," he explained.

On his return to Bangladesh on Tuesday, Mr. Yunus seemed overjoyed with the "huge response to his open letter" and said, "I have heard of the unprecedented response my open letter has received."

He said a decision on whether to float a political party or not would be made known within February. "I will announce the `yes' or `no' by this month... I know, it will not be proper to take too much time for a decision to join politics," Mr. Yunus said. About leaders from other political parties who might want to join his organisation, he said, "We will take those who will be helpful to us to achieve our basic target."

Regarding the present caretaker Government and the demand made by political parties to hold the general election as soon as possible, Mr. Yunus said he was for more time to create a congenial atmosphere for holding free, fair and credible elections.

He told mediapersons that after joining politics, he would quit as chief of the Grameen Bank. "The Grameen Bank and politics can't go together... if necessary, I'm ready to quit Grameen Bank to join politics."

Mr. Yunus said the current political climate would destroy the potential of the country, and it must go through a comprehensive change. "A new trend is needed in the country's politics to establish good governance and to build a new Bangladesh."

No martial law

Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Moeen U. Ahmed, has said that the armed forces are only assisting the caretaker Government in its crusade against corruption.

The General said the civil Government is ruling the country. "No martial law exists. The President has declared emergency under a compelling situation."

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