Political leaders ready to welcome Yunus in politics

Everyone unanimously agreed that as a citizen of the country, Prof Yunus has the right to do politics and launch a new political party.

It will help promote fair politics if personalities like Yunus join in the politics, they said.

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The reaction and comments from the political arena came in the wake of Yunus' comments prior to his flight to South Korea on October 17 that he might, if need be, form a new political party.

Only Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad fears Prof Yunus will become a controversial figure if he joins in politics. Opposing the idea, Ershad said, "I think this is not going to be a good decision for him."

BNP standing committee member and Law Minister Moudud Ahmed said, "Every citizen has a right to form a political party but I don't know what is in his mind. One has to see the context and I don't know in which context he said so; we have to see how much serious he is."

Welcoming Prof Yunus in politics Awami League presidium member Tofail Ahmed said, "It will be good for us if Prof Yunus forms a political party. Others who are looking for competent candidates will then form a political party jointly and take part in a free and fair election.

"Those who dream and imagine of honest candidates and want to rid the society of terrorism and corruption will realise the difficulties of politics if they form a political party," he said.

Jatiya Party (JP) President Anwar Hossain Manju said, "According to our constitution, every citizen has the right to be involved in political activities and as a citizen of the country Prof Yunus can also enjoy this right."

Workers Party of Bangladesh President Rashed Khan Menon said, "Politics is not possible according to the microcredit theory of Grameen Bank. It depends on sacrifice for the people and you must have relations with the people and soil if you want to do politics.

"Prof Yunus is an honourable person and he had told the same thing earlier. I think Nagorik Committee has already realised the matter that it is tough and it has no reality what they said," he added.

Mujahidul Islam Selim, general secretary of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), told The Daily Star it is good news for us what Prof Yunus announced about forming a political party. "I think it will help regenerate fair politics if personalities like Prof Yunus joins in politics."

It is more appreciable that he has decided to form a political party to achieve the political goal directly."

Hasanul Haque Inu, president of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, echoed the same. He said, "I hope he will contribute more to the country by forming a political party as competent and learned persons do not want to involve in politics."