Yunus not approached for presidency
Former Chief Adviser and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus has not been approached by the BNP government for the presidency, despite mounting speculation linking him to the vacant post, sources familiar with the matter have confirmed
“He has not been approached by the BNP government to serve as President of the republic,” a senior official of the BNP administration, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed this to Daily Waadaa.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been entrusted with selecting the party’s candidate for the presidency.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the BNP Secretary General, has emerged as the most prominent frontrunner for the top post. Despite intense public speculation over a possible offer of the country’s highest—albeit largely ceremonial—office to the 2006 Nobel laureate, sources close to the microcredit pioneer said he remains reluctant to take on any role within a political government.
The presidency fell vacant last month following the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, who cited poor health.
Shahabuddin, who took office under the former Sheikh Hasina administration, stepped down amid mounting political pressure and calls from opposition parties for his arrest and prosecution over corruption allegations. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad is currently serving as acting president until parliament elects a successor.
While the president holds limited executive power under Bangladesh’s parliamentary framework, the office becomes crucial during periods of political turmoil, leadership vacuums or constitutional transitions.
The developments come as rumors continue to link Professor Yunus to high-level international roles, including a potential nomination for United Nations Secretary-General as the incumbent’s term nears its conclusion.
Sources noted that there have been serious discussions among international stakeholders regarding his prospective candidacy on the global stage, but Professor Yunus remains reluctant to take up any role at the UN at this moment, a close aide of Yunus told this to Waadaa.
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