The Bangladesh Journal - Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus abandons political aspirations

By Golam Ahsan Jewel: After nearly 4 months of his declaration that he will form a political party, Bangladesh's lone Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus on Thursday announced that he is going to abandon his aspirations for forming a political party. He blamed not-so-great response from the people after he published open letters in national dailies months ago.

In his latest (third) open letter to the citizens, Yunus, who shared 2006 Nobel Peace Prize with his Grameen Bank, said that he had spent all his energies since he decided on entering politics, but realised that he would not be successful even after a long wait.

‘People gave me inspiration to enter politics. But when I contacted them, I did not get much response and they were not interested in joining the [proposed] party,’ said Yunus, who in his second letter on February 22 vowed that his ‘Nagarik Shakti’ (Citizens’
Power) would offer an alternative to the corrupt and dysfunctional politics.

Younus' sudden and abrupt declarations to enter politics with a full political party capable of nominating 300 MP contestants created widespread speculations among the general masses.

Some quarters saw Younus' entry into Bangladesh as a lifeline for the nation, an escape route from the violent and rotten political culture formented by Khaleda and Hasina. However, consensus has it that Muhammad Younus botched up the political process and his extremely novel approach to float a political party did not just work in Bangladeshi realities.

In his latest letter Muhammad Younus blamed certain quarters for just showing him verbal support, but nothing in real terms.

‘And those who are in political parties will not leave their camps, or at least not for the moment. They are interested in joining me after the change of the political scenario,’ he said.

The famed micro-credit pioneer introduced a unique system of floating political idea as he sought public opinion in favour of his joining politics through an open letter on February 11 made public at the airport prior to his departure for the Middle East.

‘Through this decision, I made preparations for entering a new life leaving behind my past achievements,’ he stated in his Thursday’s letter.

He earlier promised of a party with a dream of forging unity, ensuring rationality, patience, peace, non-communality, rapid economic growth, strengthening the local government and creating a new political trend free of corruption and confrontation.

Yunus said he wanted to create a party which would introduce vibrant politics and enjoy full confidence of the people.

After declaration of a state of emergency on January 11 and formation of a new caretaker government, a strong hope was created in the country which inspired him to think about entering politics, Yunus said.

He admitted that it was high time for the nation to accelerate its economic and political journey and appealed to the people that the nation should not fail.

The Nobel laureate mentioned that many had supported his idea and he was swamped with an avalanche of letters, faxes, e-mails and text messages encouraging him to go ahead. Many

Bangladeshi youths living abroad expressed their willingness to contribute to the new venture, Yunus recalled.

In an attempt to justify his decision to pull out of the political arena, Yunus said he realised that he failed to form a team, which could steer his mission of building a prosperous country.

The eminent economist apologised for pulling back after creating enthusiasm among the people. ‘I took the decision to step aside before forming the party not to frustrate you further.’

This final letter from Younus finished the already due formalities of officially expressing his departure from political route. For the last two months, it was obvious that Younus' political adventure was running seriously out of gas.