Bangladesh ex-minister explodes: Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal calls Yunus a ‘conspiratorial mastermind

Speaking to News18, he said: "Muhammad Yunus is a conspiratorial, egocentric character. He is the main supporting force in the conspiracy to overthrow a democratic government in Bangladesh through mob terrorism, through militant forces, and through globally recognised banned organisations."

He further claimed, "Of course, this is not the first time he has made such a conspiracy; it is worth noting that in 2007, he also tried to seize state power through mob violence by forming a new party through an undemocratic process. Although he failed that time, it did not happen this time."

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), widely seen as a frontrunner to return to power in Bangladesh, on Monday announced that its chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will contest the upcoming national elections.

The South Asian nation has been navigating a prolonged political crisis since the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government was ousted amid massive protests over a public job quota system on August 5, 2024. An interim administration headed by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has since been running the country.

The BNP on Monday unveiled a list of probable candidates for 237 constituencies, naming Zia as a contender from Bogura-7, Dinajpur-3, and Feni-1.

The party also announced that its acting chairman and Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, will contest from Bogura-6 (Sadar), a politically significant constituency once represented by his mother.

Bogura, the birthplace of the late President Ziaur Rahman, remains a BNP stronghold.

“Today we are announcing the names of probable candidates for 237 constituencies,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters, as quoted by the Dhaka Tribune. “We will now hold discussions with our alliance partners and finalize candidates for the remaining seats. Some announced constituencies may be revised. This is a list of probable nominees.”

Zia, who has faced severe health issues following years of imprisonment under the Awami League government on corruption charges, was released from prison shortly after Hasina’s ouster. During Hasina’s tenure, Zia had been barred from travelling abroad for medical treatment.

Her son Tarique Rahman, 59, has been living in London since 2008. He was recently acquitted of a life sentence handed down in absentia for his alleged role in the 2004 grenade attack on an Awami League rally attended by Hasina — a charge the BNP had long dismissed as politically motivated.