Interim head Yunus and his team at helm in Bangladesh

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus-led 16-member interim government took oath in Bangladesh capital Dhaka on Thursday evening. The primary tasks of the dispensation, which includes former army officers, physicians and lawyers, is to lead the country for a certain period and oversee the next elections. The administration may not leave in a hurry despite demands from certain quarters.

Critics feel since most members are inexperienced to run the country, BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami and external forces with strategic interests in the Bay of Bengal may exercise undue influence on the government.

Earlier, after his return from Paris, Yunus in his maiden address urged people to assist him in rebuilding Bangladesh. He described Sheikh Hasina's ouster as the country's "second independence". Simultaneously, Hasina's son Sajeeb Joy announced that Awami League will fight back and his mother "will be back in the country as soon as democracy is restored".


Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said Indian government does not have any update on Hasina's plan to leave India. He said India is concerned about the "interests of people of Bangladesh". On reports of attacks on minorities, he said: "We are monitoring the situation... There are also reports that various initiatives have been taken by groups and organisations to ensure protection and well-being of minorities. We hope for an early restoration of law and order in Bangladesh."