All eyes set on CA-Tarique London conclave on Friday

All eyes are set on an upcoming meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman as anticipation is rife the London conclave could break a tumultuous standoff over election timing.

As confirmed, the Yunus-Tarique one-one-one parley takes place Friday, June 13, between 9:00 and 11:00am local time in London.

The much-envisaged meeting between the head of post-uprising government, currently on a visit to the United Kingdom, and the long-exiled leader of the former ruling party is being seen in Dhaka as important for a breakthrough.

As a latest impasse on the country's tempestuous political front emerged centering the date of the next general election, the meeting seems to be crucial to bridging the gap between the interim government and the most powerful political force of the country now in the absence of the immediate-past ruling Awami League, banned by the government recently following its ouster from power on charges of 'fascist' rule.

The Chief Adviser, in his pre-Eid address to the nation, announced the next election will be held someday in the first half of April 2026, in an effort to pacify politicians agitating for election roadmap. But the timeline triggered furor among BNP and its allies who had been hammering for national elections by December this year.

BNP leaders criticised the announcement arguing that the CA favoured some political parties like Jamaat and the newborn NCP of July-August uprising vanguards which stand for holding the parliament election at a later delayed date.

Even the army chief -- who has been in public appearance since the earl-August turmoil in the political arena that led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina government, earlier had opined that elections should be held sometime around December.

Against this backdrop, political analysts believe the meeting between Yunus and Tarique may help in striking a compromise on election timings with both sides conceding a little ground.

Even BNP may agree to an idea of holding the elections in February, a senior BNP leader told The Financial Express, preferring anonymity.

"And if so, it will be a face-saving measure for both BNP and the government as both have to give some concession on date," he said.

Meanwhile, talking to the media in Dhaka on Tuesday, BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir commented that this meeting could open up a new "dimension".

He said ever since the announcement of the chief adviser's London trip, discussions had been ongoing regarding a possible meeting with BNP's acting chairman.

Mirza Fakhrul thinks this meeting could play a positive role in addressing the political crises in Bangladesh.

"Personally, I believe that given the current political backdrop, this is a major event -- an important event. It holds significant importance," he said.

He describes the upcoming meeting as one of the major political events of this time, saying, "This meeting could create many opportunities. It could help solve many problems. Many things could become easier. A new dimension could emerge. A new horizon may be unveiled."

He also criticises the tentative election time announced by the interim government, saying that such timing is unsuitable for elections. "There will be many challenges in campaigning before Ramadan. Iftar events will be necessary every day. Election expenses will double. The intense heat will make it difficult to gather people at rallies. Programmes would have to be held at night."

The BNP leader notes that holding the election on the cusp of transition is extremely important.

Responding to allegation that BNP does not want reforms, he says, "That's propaganda. False campaigns are being carried out against BNP. BNP had already proposed 31 points for reform even before the people's uprising."

Calling upon political parties, organisations and social-media users, the BNP Secretary-General urges: "Do not divide the nation. If you do, external forces --those who conspire against the country -- will take advantage."

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com