Dhaka, Feb 21 (.) Former Chief Advisor to Bangladesh’s interim administration, Md Yunus, is set to vacate the state guest house Jamuna, which will be prepared to serve as the official residence of the newly elected BNP leader, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
The transition follows the victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the 13th national parliamentary election held on February 12, marking the end of the interim government’s one-and-a-half-year term.
Yunus had assumed office as CA on Aug 8, 2024, three days after the fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League govt, with Hasina herself having left the country for India in August 2024, following the July mass uprising.
Jamuna was designated as Yunus’s official residence after the traditional prime ministerial residence, Ganabhaban, sustained much damage during the tumultuous period of political unrest and was deemed unsuitable for occupancy.
Police officials said Yunus is currently staying at Jamuna on a temporary basis but is expected to leave within about a week. Some of his aides indicated that he will return to his private residence in Gulshan once minor renovation work there has been completed.
Officials confirmed that Jamuna will now function as the prime minister’s residence, with law enforcement authorities stating that security arrangements in the surrounding area are being maintained and will remain in place when Tarique Rahman relocates to the property.
According to Public Works Department officials, refurbishment will be required before the building is handed over for prime ministerial use. Work is expected to begin once Yunus vacates the premises, with preparations likely to take around a month, depending on the new prime minister’s specifications.
Yunus, meanwhile, is expected to remain in Bangladesh for the time being and plans to resume activities at the Yunus Centre from next week.
His focus will return to the “Three Zero” initiative, which advocates zero poverty, zero unemployment and zero net carbon emissions.
He is scheduled to travel to Japan in the third week of March at the invitation of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation for a five-day programme. During the visit, he is expected to deliver lectures, attend meetings and explore avenues for collaboration before returning to Bangladesh.
Associates said Yunus has also received invitations to other international conferences but has yet to confirm his participation. He has not issued any public statement regarding the handover of Jamuna or the broader transition.
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