Yunus accepts BNP proposal to hold before next Ramadan, conditional on sufficient reform, trial progress

During his much-hyped meeting with BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman in London, Chief Adviser of the interim government Dr Muhammad Yunus has accepted BNP proposal for holding the election in February on the condition that there should be substantial progress in reform and in the trial of the July perpetrators.

“Mr Tarique Rahman proposed to the Chief Advisor that elections be held before the upcoming Ramadan next year. The party’s Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia also believes that it would be preferable to hold the elections during that time,” said the joint statement from the Chief Adviser and acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman following their meeting.

“The Chief Adviser stated that he has announced the intention to hold elections within the first half of April next year. If all preparations can be completed, it may be possible to organise the elections in the week before Ramadan begins in 2026. However, in that case, sufficient progress will need to be made on reforms and the trial of the perpetrators of the July atrocities within that timeframe” it added.

According to the statement, Mr Tarique Rahman lauded the Chief Advisor’s this position and thanked him on behalf of the party.

The Chief Advisor also thanked Mr Tarique Rahman for the fruitful discussion.

Later, in a joint press briefing BNP standing committee member Ameer Khosru Mahmud said that the election commission will announce the schedule of the General elections.

Responding to a question he said that BNP is for conducting reform before and after elections.

Asked about his party’s position on July Charter, he said that it will be formulated on the basis of consensus among political parties.

National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman said that both sides are satisfied with the outcome of the meeting.

The meeting began, as scheduled, at exactly 9:00am local time and ended at 10:30am London time.

Tarique left his London residence around 1:00pm Bangladesh time, accompanied by BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and International Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir.

As they reached the hotel, the BNP leaders were greeted by party activists gathered in front of The Dorchester earlier in the morning, holding banners, placards, and posters in anticipation of the meeting.

When Tarique arrived at the meeting room, Dr Yunus cordially received him and both of them exchanged pleasantries during the first few minutes.

‘What a charming weather this morning,’ said the chief adviser.

Tarique inquired about the wellbeing of Dr Yunus and conveyed his mother BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s salam to him.

Dr Yunus is now on a four-day visit to London, where Tarique has been living for nearly two decades.

Ever since the chief adviser's UK visit was announced on June 4, speculations ran rife about the meeting, even though it was not in the CA's itinerary.

On Tuesday, BNP General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the chief adviser had invited Tarique for a meeting at his hotel, The Dorchester. He confirmed that the meeting was happening.

According to the political analysts, the meeting will help mitigate the rising tension surfaced between the two sides centring on the poll time.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com