TDS Desk:

Amid the Eid holidays, political circles and the general public across the country are abuzz with discussions surrounding the upcoming meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, scheduled for this Friday in London.

Given the ongoing discussions and tensions over the announcement of an election date and roadmap, the meeting between these two top political figures has taken on significant importance.

With a growing rift between the ruling government and the BNP and its allies – particularly after the government announced elections in early April – there was lingering uncertainty over whether Tarique Rahman would agree to a meeting with the head of government.

However, after both formal and informal invitations from the government and repeated communications with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior leaders, BNP’s policymaking forum, the National Standing Committee, finally agreed to the meeting on Monday night.

The one-on-one meeting between Prof Yunus and Tarique is expected to take plakhe at the Dorchester Hotel near Hyde Park in Central London between 9am and 11am local time on Friday. Prof Yunus, who is currently on a four-day visit to the UK to receive the Harmony Award from King Charles III, has already arrived in London and is staying at the venue.

Political and diplomatic sources indicate that discussions for this meeting began as soon as Prof Yunus’ UK visit was announced. Since assuming the role of chief adviser on 8 August last year, Prof Yunus has met with leaders of major political parties but has yet to meet with BNP’s acting chairman. Speculation grew over the possibility of such a meeting taking plakhe during his first official UK visit.

After initial contacts between government officials and BNP’s top brass, an official invitation was extended to Tarique Rahman for a courtesy meeting with the chief adviser. The proposed date – Friday, 13 June – was shared with BNP leaders via political and diplomatic channels. BNP sources confirm that the meeting is happening primarily due to the personal interest of Prof Yunus and persistent efforts by senior government advisers.

According to insiders, the BNP was initially reluctant to participate due to uncertainty over the election roadmap. However, senior government advisers and top officials from the chief adviser’s office continued their push to arrange the meeting. Diplomatic efforts

intensified both in Dhaka and London, emphasising the potential for resolving key issues through dialogue. Many believe this meeting could serve as a platform for exchanging goodwill, where Professor Yunus will present his government’s actions and plans for elections, reforms and justice, while also hearing Tarique Rahman’s views directly.

In the midst of these efforts, on the eve of Eid, Professor Yunus announced in a national address that elections would be held in early April. BNP and its allies rejected the announcement, demanding that polls be held in December. Citing Ramadan, Eid, SSC and HSC exams and the seasonal Nor’wester storms as obstacles to campaigning, BNP maintained its call for a year-end election. This disagreement once again cast doubt over the proposed London meeting. Tensions rose further after the government appointed an adviser – disliked by the BNP – to mediate the meeting. The party had previously expressed dissatisfaction when that adviser participated in a meeting between Professor Yunus and a BNP delegation despite demands for his resignation.

In this sensitive context, several senior advisers stepped in, urgently contacting BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul and other key leaders, some of whom were undergoing medical treatment in Bangkok, to stress the importance of the meeting and seek their cooperation.

Amid the Eid break, officials at the foreign ministry and members of the diplomatic community renewed efforts to make the meeting happen. While news of a possible meeting began to circulate on Sunday and Monday, BNP had yet to formally confirm Tarique Rahman’s participation until Professor Yunus departed for London on Monday evening.

Sources from the Standing Committee reveal that during a recent meeting, Tarique Rahman informed party policymakers about the invitation and sought their views. After detailed discussions, and considering the ongoing electoral complications and other sensitive issues, the committee requested that Tarique attend the meeting as a strategic move, with hopes of resolving matters through direct dialogue with the government head. He was also authorised to discuss and decide on any issue on behalf of the party.

Speaking at a press conference at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed hope that the upcoming meeting would open a new dimension in politics. Referring to it as the most significant political event of the moment – a meeting between the current head of government and a potential future leader – he said the dialogue could pave the way for resolving existing problems.

“This meeting could be a turning point in our political landscape,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a meeting with members of the party’s Standing Committee members at her Gulshan office on 7 June, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia suggested the party leaders not to get into conflict with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus ahead of the parliamentary polls.