The much anticipated meeting between Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to take place today in London.
According to sources, the meeting will be held at The Dorchester Hotel in London and is expected to last for about two hours. The time and venue were finalized by the Chief Adviser’s office.
Earlier on Tuesday (June 10), BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, speaking to journalists at the party’s Gulshan office, confirmed that the government had officially invited Tarique Rahman to meet with the Chief Adviser. The meeting is scheduled to take place between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM local time in London.
Although BNP initially took a hardline stance against Dr. Yunus, the party may now be softening its position in light of the evolving political situation. Sources within BNP indicate that this shift is likely influenced by the party’s Chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia.
In an interview with a local media outlet, the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, stated that a meeting between the Chief Adviser and a key leader of a major political party like Tarique Rahman would send a positive message for the country.
In a video message, Alam added, "This meeting is crucial for the country and for the upcoming political landscape of Bangladesh. An election timeframe has been announced for April, and this meeting holds great significance. While the agenda is not public, it is expected that both parties will engage in wide-ranging discussions. One is the head of the current interim government, and the other leads the country’s largest political party."
He also noted that a BNP representative had already met with government officials to prepare for the meeting. "We expect both leaders to arrive by 9 AM tomorrow. A one-on-one meeting will be held, and if they decide to include others, that decision will rest solely with them," he added.
On June 6, Dr. Yunus announced in a televised address that the next general election in Bangladesh would be held sometime in the first half of April next year. The announcement drew sharp criticism from BNP during an emergency meeting of its Standing Committee that evening. BNP argued that holding elections in April could be problematic due to academic exams, weather concerns, and the month of Ramadan.
The party also criticized the Chief Adviser’s speech for lacking a clear explanation as to why elections could not be held by December.
Political analysts suggest today’s meeting could mark a significant milestone in the country’s political trajectory. Discussions may include the election roadmap, ensuring a participatory and credible electoral environment, and the roles of other political parties.
Dr. Muhammad Yunus is currently on a four-day official visit to the United Kingdom. On Thursday (June 12), he was presented with the King Charles III Harmony Award 2025 at an event held at St. James’s Palace in London, on behalf of King Charles III.
Dr. Yunus departed Dhaka for London on Monday evening (June 9) aboard an Emirates flight from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
