Nobel laureate Yunus ready to join politics

DHAKA: Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has said he is "mentally ready to join politics" if the civil society want, terming the present situation "a high-time to start politics from a new angle".

The founder of Grameen Bank, however, said the "people will decide the right time of his joining politics" and formation of a political party.

The people "have breathed a sigh of relief following the declaration of the state of emergency in the country," the Nobel laureate told journalists at the Zia International Airport on Thursday on return from a ten-day visit to India and Bahrain.

Applauding the Caretaker government's drive against corruption, he demanded changes in the electoral laws that would disqualify corrupt people from contesting elections.

During his visit to India, he delivered a keynote speech in New Delhi to mark the centenary of Satyagraha Movement. He also inaugurated the Grameen Trust India in Mumbai.