Muhammad Yunus Talks to U.S. Envoy, Levels Major Allegations Against Sheikh Hasina

Dhaka: Amid rising tensions in Bangladesh following the murder of Osman Hadi, Interim Government Chief Muhammad Yunus spoke on Monday with India’s Ambassador and Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor. During the phone call, Yunus emphasized the government’s commitment to holding free and peaceful elections next year.

Yunus assured that the national vote, scheduled for February 12, 2026, would take place on time. “The people of Bangladesh are eagerly waiting to exercise their right to vote, which had been denied under the previous authoritarian regime,” he said. Yunus stressed that the interim government would ensure an impartial and peaceful electoral process.

The conversation, which took place around 7:30 PM local time on Monday, lasted approximately 30 minutes. Yunus later shared the details on social media platform X, noting that discussions covered U.S.-Bangladesh trade and tariff negotiations, the upcoming national elections, democratic reforms in the country, and the recent assassination of Osman Hadi.

Allegations Against Sheikh Hasina

During the call, Yunus accused the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her supporters of fueling instability in Bangladesh. He claimed that Hasina’s allies were allegedly spending millions of dollars to derail the electoral process and that her fugitive leadership was inciting violence from abroad. Yunus affirmed that the interim administration was fully prepared to counter any attempts at disruption.

Commitment to Fair Elections

Yunus’s chief advisor stated, “We have about 50 days before the elections. We aim to conduct a free, fair, and peaceful election, and we want it to be memorable.” In response, Ambassador Gor praised Yunus’s leadership, highlighting recent trade discussions that led Washington to reduce tariffs on Bangladeshi goods by 20 percent.

Political Tensions in Bangladesh

The phone conversation came at a tense time in Bangladesh, following the assassination of Osman Hadi on December 12. Hadi succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment in Singapore on December 16. His death has triggered a series of violent incidents across the country, including attacks on media houses and the throwing of stones at the residence of India’s Assistant High Commissioner in Chattogram.