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Yunus joins politics

Haroon Habib

DHAKA: The Nobel laureate of Bangladesh, Mohammad Yunus, has formally announced his decision to join active politics, pledging to establish a new trend, ending the "legacy of violence in Bangladesh's political culture."

The guru of micro-credit, en route to the UAE to address an international students' conference, said at the airport on Thursday, "the enthusiastic response from the people has led me to decide on floating the new political party." Mr. Yunus's party will be called Nagarik Shakti (citizens' power).

He said, "Our politics aims at materialising the dreams of the Liberation War. It will be the politics of unity, peace and honesty", adding that poverty would be eradicated by involving the people in the nation-building work.

The political slogan of the party will be, "March Ahead Bangladesh." Mr. Yunus said his policies would be secular and would aim at eradicating corruption and nepotism. They would also ensure gender equality and a bright future for the youth. He would no way be subservient to foreign powers.

Call for early election

Meanwhile, top leaders of the two major political parties, Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, have opined that an elected government should take charge within the shortest possible time.

"We emphasise holding of polls at the earliest as only an elected government should make decisions on issues of national importance," said Awami League president Sheikh Hasina to the visiting U.S. Congressman Steve Chabot.

Ms. Khaleda Zia, while meeting Mr. Chabot separately, said, "It is imperative to hold polls and hand over power to elected representatives without much delay so that they can deal with issues."

Mr. Chabot told reporters on Thursday, "We would like to see elections here sooner... But the timing is up to Bangladesh as it is their internal affair."

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