Did Yunus Meet with BNP Leader Tarique Rahman in London?

London, June 13 (NationPress) As Bangladesh faces ongoing political turmoil and instability, the Chief Advisor of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, convened a meeting with Tarique Rahman, the Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Khaleda Zia, at a hotel in London.

This highly anticipated meeting took place during Yunus's official visit to the United Kingdom, coinciding with a widening divide among political factions regarding the scheduling of national elections.

Following their discussions, a joint statement revealed that Rahman recommended Yunus to conduct the forthcoming national elections before the onset of Ramadan in 2026, a sentiment echoed by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.

In response, Yunus indicated that he has already announced elections to occur in the first half of April 2026. However, he noted that should preparations be finalized, elections could potentially be held in the week preceding Ramadan in 2026, contingent on significant progress in reforms and justice.

This meeting marked Tarique Rahman's first private engagement with Yunus since relocating to London in September 2008.

With Ramadan anticipated to commence in mid-February next year, senior BNP officials have been advocating for parliamentary elections by December of this year. Rahman reiterated this demand while addressing various rallies virtually.

Recently, Yunus declared that the national elections would take place on a specific day in April next year.

"I am announcing to the citizens that the next national elections will be conducted on a day in the first half of April 2026," Yunus stated during a televised address to the nation prior to Eid.

He mentioned that the Election Commission will unveil a comprehensive roadmap for the elections at an appropriate time.

However, this plan has faced immediate backlash from diverse political parties in the nation.

Last week, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir conveyed to local media in Dhaka that April is "not an appropriate time" for national elections.

"April poses challenges such as extreme heat, storms, and rains. Additionally, it follows immediately after Ramadan, coinciding with public examinations," Alamgir explained.

Previously, Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, asserted that conducting national elections before December is feasible, provided necessary reforms based on consensus can be implemented in less than a month.

"December is too late. Elections can certainly occur before then. If the reform suggestions, excluding those related to constitutional amendments, gain national consensus, they can be enacted swiftly," Salahuddin was reported saying at a discussion organized by the Gono Odhikar Parishad.

The interim government is experiencing mounting pressure from various political entities, including the BNP, to hold elections by year-end.

Last month, Tarique Rahman urged the youth and citizens to ensure that elections take place before December.

"Historically, caretaker governments in Bangladesh have successfully organized national elections within three months. Yet, ten months into its term, the interim administration led by Yunus has yet to announce an election date. The people of Bangladesh deserve better. We aspire for a nation free from authoritarianism, governed by a democratically elected administration accountable to its citizens," Rahman stated during a BNP rally, addressing virtually from London.

"If any of you wish to retain power, resign from your posts, align with the populace, contest elections, and if victorious, return to lead the government," he added.