Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has urged the nation to unite against conspirators who, he claims, are working on a "grand plan" to undermine the interim government and create divisions within it.
In his address to the nation on Sunday to mark 100 days of governance, Yunus alleged that leaders of the deposed Awami League government, who had laundered vast sums of money, were actively seeking to destabilize the administration and trying to return to power with their ill-gotten wealth.
The chief adviser said the process of organizing elections was underway, adding that once electoral reforms were finalized, a detailed election roadmap would will be shared with the public.
However, he noted that the election might be delayed by a few months to accommodate necessary reforms.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Yunus, assumed power on August 8 following the fall of the government of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India amid a student-led mass uprising.
In his pre-recorded address, Yunus said a massive global and domestic plan was being executed every moment to render the interim government ineffective and dysfunctional.
“A key tactic of theirs is to sow discord among us. Leaders of the fallen government, enriched with money looted from this country, are plotting their return. Do not let them succeed under any circumstances."
On the topic of elections, he said many were eager to know when the elections would take place. “Rest assured, it is a priority for us. We have already started taking steps toward this goal. Within a few days, the Election Commission will be formed, after which the responsibility for organizing the elections will rest with them."
The chief adviser emphasized that the interim government's responsibilities extended beyond merely forming an Election Commission. "Reforming the state system is one of this government's key commitments. You have entrusted us with this mandate. The six reform commissions we established at the beginning of our tenure have already made significant progress."
He called on citizens to share their vision for the upcoming general election and to participate actively in discussions. "Speak openly about what you want to see in the elections. Express your views without hesitation," he said.
In addition to election-related discussions, Yunus urged the public to support the interim government's broader reform agenda. "I request you to talk about reforms alongside elections. Do not overlook reforms. When discussing elections, also address the necessary reforms in governance and other areas. Reforms are the long-term lifeblood of the nation," he added.
Efforts to destabilize Bangladesh thwarted, says Yunus
"When we assumed responsibility, Bangladesh was in a highly vulnerable state. At that time, attempts were made to spread unnecessary fear among religious minorities. In some cases, they even faced violence. However, much of the propaganda around these incidents was exaggerated.
“The few cases of violence that did occur were politically motivated but were falsely framed as religious conflicts to destabilize Bangladesh once again. With everyone’s support, we firmly handled the situation," the chief adviser said.
"Just two months into our tenure, Durga Puja was celebrated across nearly 32,000 puja mandaps in the country. Extensive security measures ensured that the Hindu community celebrated their festival without any hindrance."
Expressing gratitude to the people of the country, Yunus thanked everyone “for showing incredible patience during this challenging time.”
He also thanked political leaders for urging their members to remain calm and avoid acts of retaliation or violence.
"The fascist forces had threatened that if they gave up power, millions would die in the country. Despite the police administration remaining completely inactive for seven consecutive days, widespread violence was successfully averted."
Economic recovery
Highlighting economic improvements, the chief adviser said when his government began its work, the economy was in a dire state, with foreign currency reserves at rock bottom.
He said the good news was that the situation had improved. “In the past three months, we have paid off nearly $2 billion in foreign debt without tapping into our reserves, and we continue to work tirelessly to restore the economy."
Although the previous regime had left the economy in a fragile condition, revenue collection had shown growth, with an 8.75% increase by October compared to July's negative outlook, Yunus noted.
“What was a financial catastrophe 100 days ago is now a thing of the past. Our policies have brought the economy back to strength."
The chief adviser assured the people that despite challenges, the interim government was committed to leaving behind a robust economy, ensuring citizens' rights and simplifying the future path for the nation.
No matter how strong or destructive opposition forces might be, his administration was prepared to thwart any destabilizing efforts, he added.
Yunus also thanked global leaders saying almost all of them had extended a helping hand during this critical time for Bangladesh.
Prices
Yunus said this year’s floods had destroyed crops in many areas and disrupted the supply chain.
“In the aftermath, the prices of daily essentials, including vegetables, rose in the market, causing hardship for you. We are doing our utmost to keep the prices of essential goods at a reasonable level."
The chief adviser added that initiatives during the government's first 100 days, such as reducing fuel prices, increasing gas supply to industries and curbing extortion in the transport sector, were expected to help bring down commodity prices.
Achievements
Yunus said the government was committed to protecting all sectors of the country from pervasive corruption, not just the judiciary. “The work to restructure the Anti-Corruption Commission is almost complete. A list of 150 influential individuals accused of corruption and money laundering has been prepared, and investigations against 79 of them have begun."
"To streamline government operations, 19,084 officers and employees were promoted, 13,429 were transferred and disciplinary action was taken against 12,636. The [Bangladesh] Public Service Commission has been restructured. A policy decision has been made to repeal the infamous Cyber Security Act, and cases under the act related to freedom of expression have been withdrawn. Additionally, 133 laws and regulations have been formulated or amended, and 353 significant policy decisions have been made."
The chief adviser emphasized the government’s responsiveness to student concerns, mentioning the recent increase in the age limit for government jobs to 32.
"We are sympathetic to your demands and willing to listen patiently. However, causing public inconvenience by blocking roads creates problems for everyone. We earnestly request that you present your demands through the proper channels."
Highlighting developments in the garment industry, he said a comprehensive 18-point agreement had been signed between owners and workers.
“We have resolved labour unrest without major violence, and workers have returned to production. This has revitalized Bangladesh’s export-driven industry. Despite challenges, our export growth in October reached nearly 21%."
Regarding the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Yunus said the government had announced a new package, reducing costs by over Tk1 lakh. “Additionally, no one will be sent on Hajj at government expense this year."
Touching on environmental goals, he reiterated the government's commitment to building a greener Bangladesh.
"In the last 100 days, we have undertaken many welfare-oriented initiatives, too numerous to detail here. Our government believes in transparency and accountability. I have instructed all ministries to publish details of their work on their websites and social media platforms. My office has also been directed to ensure that citizens are informed about government activities."
At the beginning of his speech, Yunus paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War and the martyrs of the July-August uprising.
He reiterated his promise to rehabilitate the families of all martyrs and provide advanced medical treatment to those injured in the uprising.
