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Bangladesh is keenly awaiting a historic meeting set for Friday in London between Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, and Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). This will be the first time in Tarique Rahman's long political career that he meets with a head of government.
People across Bangladesh are hopeful that this meeting will lead to a consensus between the two leaders regarding the potential date for the upcoming general election.
According to a source, while the meeting is primarily planned as a one-on-one, there's a possibility that two or more individuals from each side might join in the later stages. Preparations for the meeting between the two leaders are in their final stages. The source also indicated that the BNP might agree to hold elections in February if the Chief Adviser concurs. It remains unknown whether a joint briefing will be held after the meeting, but BNP leaders suggest that since the government extended the invitation, they will be responsible for announcing the outcomes.
Both Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Tarique Rahman's camps were engaged in last-minute activities on Thursday in preparation for the Friday morning meeting.
Shofiqul Alam, the Chief Adviser's Press Secretary, stated in a video briefing released by the Chief Adviser's press wing on Thursday that this meeting is "extremely important for Bangladesh's future political reality." He emphasized that one is the head of Bangladesh's interim government, and the other leads the country's largest political party, and they will discuss "everything." Alam also confirmed that a BNP official visited on Thursday as part of the preparations for Friday's meeting and held discussions. He added, "We expect them to arrive by 9 AM. After their arrival, there will be a one-to-one meeting. If they wish for others to be present, they will decide that."
Following social media reports on Wednesday about BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury's arrival in London, speculation arose regarding whether the meeting between Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman would indeed be one-on-one, or if additional representatives from either side would join.
Meanwhile, two joint general secretaries of the UK BNP have also indicated the likelihood of a one-on-one meeting from the BNP's perspective.
Pervez Mallick, a joint general secretary, stated, "The general public expects a one-to-one meeting. A one-to-one meeting is likely." When asked about the outcome, he reiterated that since the government extended the invitation, they would announce the results after the meeting.
Another joint general secretary, Misbauzzaman Sohel, also responded to questions, saying, "As far as we know, their meeting will be between the two of them." He added that if the government decides to have others present, or if the situation necessitates additional BNP representatives, that might be why Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has arrived in London. He also mentioned that at least a thousand activists are expected to gather outside the venue to welcome the meeting.
The meeting between Professor Yunus and Tarique Rahman is scheduled to begin tomorrow, Friday, June 13, at 9 AM local London time. It will take place at the Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane in Central London.
Awami League to Remain Silent During Yunus-Tarique Meeting
Despite the UK Awami League's widespread protest efforts during Dr. Yunus's other engagements in London, they have announced no programs during tomorrow's Yunus-Tarique meeting. While they have actively demonstrated outside all other venues where Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus has held events, they will not hold any demonstrations during this particular meeting.
Syed Sajidur Rahman Faruk, the general secretary of the UK Awami League, confirmed that there will be no program on Friday morning. He also stated that they would demonstrate against Dr. Yunus when he is on his way to return to Bangladesh. When asked why the party would remain silent during this specific meeting despite protesting elsewhere, he reiterated their objective is to protest against Dr. Yunus.
