S M Masud Rana 

Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist Dr. Yunus has returned to Bangladesh yesterday. The whole nation wants him to lead an interim government after weeks of student-led protests forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and then flee to India.

“It’s good to be back home,” said the 84-year-old after landing down at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital, Dhaka, on Thursday. He came on a flight from Paris via Dubai.

Dr. Yunus was was welcomed by Bangladesh’s military chief, Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman, who was flanked by leaders of the navy and air force. Some of the student leaders who led the uprising against Hasina were also present at the airport to welcome Dr. Yunus. It’s considered a key demand of the student protest leaders

“Today is a glorious day for us. Bangladesh has created a new victory day. Bangladesh has got a second independence.” Yunus told reporters at the airport.

In his first speech after arrival in Dhaka, Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday recalled Begum Rokeya University Student Abu Sayed and said he will remain in the hearts of all in Bangladesh forever.

“Abu Sayed’s image is in the heart of every person in Bangladesh. No one will be able to forget it. The incredible courageous youth was standing in front of the guns,” he was emotional while speaking to the media at the airport. আ

Yunus’s main objective is to hold elections as soon as possible, noting that the poll should be held 90 days from the dissolving of the country’s Parliament, which occurred on Tuesday. He said that he doesn’t want to be a long-term caretaker government chief.

Security was tight at the airport to ensure Yunus’s safe arrival, as Bangladesh has experienced days of unrestafter Hasina’s downfall. Shahabuddin will administer the oath-taking ceremony on Thursday night when Dr. Yunus is expected to announce his cabinet.

The chief adviser of an interim government is equivalent to the prime minister, and the other advisors are equivalent to ministers. More than 20 cars for the chief adviser and the other advisers have been prepared. These cars will be sent to their homes to escort them to the oath-taking ceremony at Bangabhaban once confirmation is received. This interim government will lead the country for a certain period and oversee the election to transition power to an elected government.

Hasina, 76, was elected to a fourth consecutive term in January, in an election boycotted by her main opponents. Thousands of opposition members were jailed before the vote, and the US and UK denounced the result as not credible.