The meeting between Chief Adviser (CA) Dr Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has been the talk of the country.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Country’s largest political party, said that its leaders and activists are happy as the uncertainty surrounding the 13th national parliament election is over now.
BNP and like-minded parties are energized and excited after this meeting, and the leaders are busy with the election preparations.
On the other hand, Bangladesh Jamaat-E-Islami, former an ally of BNP, expressed its distresses following the meeting.
It entitles the meeting against the country’s political culture, saying, “A joint press conference abroad after a meeting with a political party is not ethically correct at all and against the political culture.”
“With the meeting, the CA expressed his affinity to a party that violates his neutrality,” the party continued.
A joint statement after the top-tier meeting between the BNP and the government reads, “Tarique Rahman has proposed to Muhammad Yunus to hold national elections before next Ramadan.”
“In response to the proposal, the CA said that the election can be held within this time if all preparations are completed,” the statement furthered.
BNP and like-minded parties described the hour-long meeting as earnest and sincere. They said the message of compromise and cooperation that emerged from the discussion brought relief to the country’s political landscape, easing tensions surrounding the election date.
Both sides showed a positive attitude toward reforms and the trial of genocide, demonstrating that political issues can be resolved through dialogue, leaders from BNP and its like-minded party continued.
In many respects, this significant meeting also revealed the political foresight of both sides. It is also believed that this meeting will usher in positive changes in politics.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the meeting was successful. “The two leaders showed the nation a dream of moving forward again after overcoming that situation.”
BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu said, “The meeting between CA and Acting Chairman was anticipated for the sake of the nation and it restored the sense of relief nationwide.”
BNP’s Dhaka Divisional Joint Organizing Secretary Nazrul Islam Azad said, “Tarique once again proved that he possesses the qualities of a statesman since he succeeded in the first meeting which was very crucial for the nation.”
National People’s Party (NPP) Chairman Dr AZM Fariduzzaman Farhad said, “The ambiguity surrounding the election is over with the meeting. The consensus reached on holding national elections before the upcoming Ramadan has brought a message of relief and a ray of hope to the people, overcoming uncertainty.”
Jamaat leaders said that the ‘affinity’ for a party has dampened the neutrality of the CA.
Jamaat’s Central Executive Council meeting was held yesterday under the chairmanship of the party’s Ameer Shafiqur Rahman.
Sources in the meeting said that they considered the meeting ‘very normal’. Jamaat says, “The CA announced the roadmap for the national election in the first half of April 2026 in his address to the nation on June 6. And now during his visit to London, holding a joint press conference abroad after a meeting with a political party and issuing a joint statement on the subject of the meeting is a violation of Bangladesh's political culture.”
“Through this, he has expressed special affection for a party; which has undermined his impartiality.”
Jamaat believes, “It was appropriate for the CA to discuss with other political parties after returning to the country and express his opinion on this matter.”
The party further says, “As the head of government, a joint press conference with a party is not morally right. The CA holding a joint press conference after a meeting with a party has created apprehension among the people about the next elections being free, fair and acceptable.”
“Where many political parties are actively present in Bangladesh, it cannot be considered right to make decisions on the overall political issues of the country by talking to just one party,” the party continued.
Translated by AM
