A segment of civil society has been engaged in extensive discussions throughout the day regarding the appointment of the head of an interim government. This group has proposed Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, a former Army Chief, for the role under the current circumstances.
Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan served as Army Chief during the Awami League’s administration, overseeing the election held on January 5, 2014. Since his retirement, he has led a quiet life.
Recently, Bhuiyan’s posts on Facebook have generated considerable debate nationwide. In these posts, he has called for an end to the current turmoil. Additionally, a press conference was held today by a group of retired army officers, with Bhuiyan taking a prominent role. He expressed his determination to prevent further destruction of the country and called on the government to instruct the BJB and the military to return to their barracks. This press conference was organized under the banner of the Retired Officers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces.
Multiple credible sources have indicated that Bhuiyan’s recent activities are supported not only by civil society but also by at least two foreign countries.
There is speculation that Bhuiyan’s efforts have the backing of these foreign nations. If Dr. Yunus were to be appointed as the head of the caretaker government, it is anticipated that this would provoke significant discontent within the Awami League and would be unacceptable to them. It could also create internal issues within the military. In light of these considerations, civil society is reportedly deliberating the proposal to appoint Bhuiyan as the interim government head.
However, there is strong opposition from the BNP concerning Bhuiyan’s candidacy. The objection stems from his role as Army Chief during the 2014 elections, where he did not take action against the perceived one-sided nature of the election. Political analysts view these developments as speculative and argue that such methods of protest will not lead to success. They also believe that attempts to establish another “One-Eleven” type government will ultimately fail.
