Click to play videoNew Delhi: In rapid political developments in Bangladesh, President Iajuddin Ahmed has stepped down as caretaker of the interim government and armed forces have been deployed on the streets of Dhaka as a state of emergency has been declared.
On Thursday evening Ahmed finally bowed to pressure and stepped down from the caretaker government charged with conducting elections. But he remains as the President of Bangladesh.
In a televised address to his nation, he accepted many of the charges of the multi-party alliance led by Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League.
Till Thursday afternoon there was no sign of either the President or those backing the protests backing down.
Sheikh Hasina had even offered that he remain as the President, but give up heading the caretaker government. Ahmed had declined the offer initially.
And Bangladeshi Army was responsible for the change of mind of the President.
"As far as we know, the whole move by the President - resignation as the caretaker chief and other steps he has taken is backed by the armed forces of Bangladesh," said Editor of Bangla daily Prothom Alo Motiur Rahman.
Bangladesh has seen martial law before, but that is unlikely this time for the army is happy making money with its peace-keeping missions under the UN flag.
But the new UN secretary General too put out a statement that acknowledged the futility of elections now.
"The political crisis in Bangladesh has severely jeopardized the legitimacy of the electoral process. The announced cancellation of numerous international observation missions is regrettable," said UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon.
It was time for the army to end the showdown. Within two days a new advisory council for the caretaker government will be formed, with an updated voters list and rescheduled elections.
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