Bangladesh Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman are set to hold a high-voltage meeting on Friday morning, when they are likely to discuss the election timeframe in April, as announced by Yunus last week.
BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury reached London on Wednesday.
After the news went viral on social media, there were rumours about whether the meeting between Yunus and Tarique Rahman would be one-to-one or whether one or two more people from both sides could be present.
Meanwhile, two joint general secretaries of the UK BNP have also informed the media about the possibility of a one-to-one meeting at 9am.
Meanwhile, the Awami League has decided to suspend its protests for the meeting. The UK branch of the Awami League did not announce any program for Friday. Except for this meeting, they have been holding large-scale protests outside the venues of Yunusโ events since Tuesday, demanding his resignation.
The Awami League central committee, early Friday, announced a monthlong protest program from June 16, demanding the resignation of Yunus and an end to the farcical trial at the illegal International Crimes Tribunal.
The timing of the Awami Leagueโs announcement, nine hours before the meeting, is a strategic move to pressure Yunus and Tarique. The suspension of protests in London suggests the Awami League wants to monitor the meetingโs outcomes, but its monthlong agitation plan from June 16 could escalate tensions.
On June 11, Awami League President and five-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged party leaders and activists to stand by the people, unite them, and launch a robust movement to oust the interim government, which she described as illegal and led by โconspirator and mob kingโ Muhammad Yunus.
In herย latestย audio message, Sheikh Hasina labelled Yunus, his aides, and student coordinators as criminals, accusing them ofย plunderingย public funds,ย killingย Awami League members, and looting their homes and businesses. She alleged that the leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Movement are now fostering discrimination across the country.
Sheikh Hasina noted that the anti-quota movement remained peaceful until July 15, but thereafter, protesters began attacking police, torching government buildings, and blocking roads.
She alleged that they targeted both police and military personnel, who have the right to self-defense. Her government, she said, took necessary actions to protect lives and property. โWe did nothing wrong.โ
She slammed the BNP for engaging in looting and terrorism, and the Jamaat-e-Islami for murders and cutting tendons.
On Thursday, the press secretary to the chief adviser, Shafiqul Alam, said in a video briefing that the meeting is very important for the political reality ahead of Bangladesh. โThey will discuss everything. As preparation for the meeting, an official from the BNP also came on Thursday.โ
UK BNPโs Joint General Secretary Parvez Mallick said: โThe people expect that there should be a one-to-one meeting. Since the government has invited him, the results of the meeting will be announced by the government after the meeting.”
Another joint general secretary, Misbah-uz-Zaman Sohail, said: “If there is someone else from the government, or if there is a need, or if the context is created, then Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury is here from the BNP side.”
He also said that at least a thousand leaders and activists of the BNP will gather outside the meeting venue to welcome the meeting.
There is no definitive public information from the provided sources or elsewhere specifying what Yunus might offer Tarique Rahman during their meeting.
Sources indicate that the meeting could cover topics such as the election timeline (with Yunus proposing April 2026 and BNP demanding December 2025 or February 2026), political reforms, the July Charter, justice for the July-August 2024 uprising, Rakhine Corridor, Chittagong Port handling and Tarique Rahmanโs potential return to Bangladesh.
The BNP leader has been staying in London since 2008 and conducting party activities virtually.
Observers say that Yunus might offer rewards for Tariqueโs support, such as removing the army chief, granting corridor and port access, or agreeing to earlier elections, but claim that the BNP leader would reject these due to the partyโs strong position.
On Wednesday, Yunus described the upcoming parliamentary election as โthe most beautiful electionโ in Bangladeshโs history. However, scepticism abounds due to reported politicisation of the Election Commission, administration, and educational institutions overseeing the polls.
Many question Yunusโ claims of political neutrality, as several cabinet members favour delaying elections and supporting NCP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and other Islamist groups. More importantly, 95% of the political parties and the army want elections before December.
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