Masuda Bhatti explains why Yunus gang is scared of caretaker government

Senior journalist Masuda Bhatti has censured the Jamaat-controlled interim government, led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, for lacking legitimacy, adding that the administration and the judiciary are in the hands of occupiers.

Now that there is a chance of the reinstatement of the caretaker government provision, this hints at the farewell bell for Dr. Yunus, she said in a podcast on Thursday. The system that was once erased from the pages of history is coming back again.

The hearing began on October 21. The bench, headed by Chief Justice Syed Md. Refaat Ahmed, is set to hold the hearing for the fourth day on October 28.

Masuda Bhatti was a commissioner of the Information Commission. She was removed from the position on January 25 this year.

She said: “A question is now going around in the country and abroad: When will Yunus go? The legitimacy of the Yunus government is being questioned everywhere in the country and abroad today. The government that seized power through violence in 2024 has no constitutional basis, no approval from the people.

“From the beginning, they have tried to remain in power by violating the constitution, forging the signatures of judges and showing Article 106 of the Constitution, creating a kind of fake legitimacy story. But the reality is that there is no more ground under the feet of this government.”

She said that the hearing on the restoration of the caretaker government system is like a new direction on the political stage.

Yunus has to go if caretaker government is reinstated after October 21

Dr. Yunus: A portrait of self-interest and deception

Only an inclusive election could stabilize Bangladesh, Sajeeb Wazed tells AP

During the hearing, petitioner’s lawyer Dr. Sharif Bhuiyan argued that the Appellate Division bench led by former Chief Justice Khairul Haque, which abolished the caretaker government system in 2011, made a mistake in interpreting the Constitution. Because the judges failed to understand the political reality of the country.

Dr. Bhuiyan added that the caretaker government system was introduced through the 13th Amendment in 1996 at the demand of the Awami League. It was the result of a rare political consensus. As a result, an electoral trust environment was created in the country for the first time. The Awami League government handed over power to the caretaker government, led by Justice Latifur Rahman—the only successful transfer of power.

But later, the Awami League took a stand against that system when they realised that fair elections were not possible in this structure, learning from the abuse of the system in 2006 and later by the army-backed caretaker government, which clung to power for two years.

Masuda Bhatti said that Dr. Yunus has been claiming from the beginning that he is running a government for everyone. “In reality, it turns out that it is not anyone else’s; it is only a mission to protect the interests of his own group. No elections have been held. No constitutional process has been followed. They have not even been able to show any paper of the court order that they are repeatedly talking about under Article 106. The decisions, appointments, and promotions of this government are all now under question.”

Citing the views of political parties and various civic organisations, Masuda Bhatti said that a caretaker government can hold an all-party neutral election. After meeting with Dr. Yunus, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters that they told the chief adviser that this government must now go to a caretaker structure. Neutrality must be ensured in the administration, judiciary, and police.

“That is, they no longer see any political future under Yunus’ leadership. Fakhrul’s statement hints at a kind of formal farewell. He said that the government must walk the path of neutrality, and the administration must be free from party influence. This means that they basically no longer trust the Yunus government but are requesting it to step down and hand over power to the caretaker government.”

She said that the fall of the Yunus government is now only a matter of time.

Political analysts say that Dr. Yunus is preparing himself for a kind of respectable exit through these meetings. Because he knows that if the Appellate Division rules in favour of the caretaker system, his government will no longer have any legitimacy.

“In the political arena, no one is now asking whether the caretaker government will return. The question is when it will return and how. And who will be in its leadership when it returns? Almost everyone will say that Yunus is not staying. His role in the country’s politics is over now.”

She added that the system that once restored public trust has been destroyed for political interests.

“What will happen if the caretaker government returns? First, at least a political roadmap for the country will be created. Second, Bangladesh will regain international acceptance. Third, the people will regain their right to vote.

“These three issues are very dangerous for the Yunus government. Because an honest election means the departure of his government. The court hearing is now at the heart of the discussion. The decision that comes from here will determine the path of future politics. But the indications from all sides are the same. Yunus’ days are over. The return of the caretaker government is now only a matter of time.”

The senior journalist said that power has never been empty; someone comes and takes over. “It will be the same this time, too. “But this time the change is different. Because it comes from the people’s desire, not from party conspiracy or capture by terrorists. People now not only want change but also want the rebirth of legitimacy.”