Reaffirming his plan to enter politics and form a new party, he said he would take decision about floating a political party with a new vision within this month.

Prof Yunus also said he is ready to terminate his connection with Grameen Bank in the interest of the people.

"If I join politics, I will no doubt leave the bank, because politics and Grameen Bank cannot go together," the microcredit trailblazer told reporters at the Zia International Airport on returning from Kolkata.

Earlier on Sunday, Yunus wrote an open letter to the people, seeking views on his idea of forming a party with a goal to present the people of the country with a fresh democratic political culture replacing the outmoded one.

"I have got tremendous support from the people for launching a new political party and I will announce 'yes' or 'no' within this month," he said.

Ruling out the possibility of joining any of the existing political parties, the Nobel laureate said he will contest the next election as an independent candidate if the process to form his party is delayed.

"A political party is not a must to contest the election, I can compete as an independent candidate," he said.

On legal bars to political activities under the existing state of emergency, Yunus said he would go by the law. "I have all the respect for laws, and whatever I do, I must do that obeying the existing laws of the land.

"We want to have a good environment created through the election and do not want to see the country plunged in chaos again," he said.

"I want to be in politics for the commoners, who would be the foundation of my politics," he added.

Political goodwill and worthy leadership can ensure good governance which will ultimately help build a prosperous Bangladesh by properly utilising the inherent creativity and enthusiasm of the commoners. "Bangladesh has an immense potential, and we have to tap it by ensuring worthy political leadership and culture," he said echoing a paragraph of his open letter.

UNB adds: Responding to a question, Prof Yunus said he did not know what is written in the law about forming a new party during the state of emergency. "I will look into that very carefully and I assure that I will not go beyond the laws."

On absorbing leaders from other political parties, he said his party will take in those leaders who will be helpful for them in achieving their "basic target".

Asked what Prof Yunus in a partisan role will look like, he said, "I do not know."