On 13 June, the much-anticipated meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman finally took place in London. For over a week, the scheduled meeting had been the center of attention and speculation. Eventually, putting all assumptions to rest, the two leaders sat down in a remarkably cordial environment. Based on the joint declaration issued by both parties, it appears the meeting was indeed fruitful.
Despite ten months having passed since the mass uprising, there had been lingering uncertainty over when the national election would be held. On the eve of Eid-ul-Azha, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus addressed the nation and stated that a general election could be held in April 2026. Notably, except for three political parties, all others had been demanding elections no later than mid-December this year. After Yunus’s speech, the BNP officially raised objections to the proposed timeline.
Just a week later, this meeting between the chief adviser and the acting chairman of the country’s largest political party has sparked hope of national unity around the cause of democracy.
At a youth gathering in Dhaka, Tarique Rahman had declared, “Bangladesh First.” True to that motto, he once again demonstrated that his top priorities remain democracy, stability, sovereignty, and the independence of Bangladesh.
As someone who endured over fifteen years of fascist repression, Tarique Rahman has shown leadership by making responsible compromises when necessary. He is not only the leader of the largest political party but also a mature and visionary figure who understands the gravity of this political moment.
Having long been a target of political vendetta under fascist rule, Tarique Rahman – the political heir of Khaleda Zia – has reaffirmed his uncompromising stance on democracy. He is not merely BNP’s acting chairman; he is a resilient political fighter and an enduring symbol of Bangladeshi nationalism.
His political journey began at the grassroots, where he gathered invaluable experience in his early career – experience that has now shaped him into a central figure of nationalist politics. This path has not been easy. Since the BNP came to power in 2001, both domestic and foreign interest groups launched a well-orchestrated character assassination campaign against him – a strategy that the fascist Awami League regime continued for 16 years.
Determined to uproot Bangladeshi nationalism and safeguard foreign-aligned elite politics, the Awami League regime tried relentlessly to implicate Tarique Rahman in corruption, conspiracy, and violence. Yet, brushing aside these conspiracies, Tarique Rahman has once again proven, in a time of national crisis, that democracy, independence, and sovereignty remain his core commitments.
At the London meeting, he ignited fresh hope for the return of democracy. With 37 years of political experience under his belt, this future statesman has acted as expected. By gifting Prof Yunus two books – “No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference” and “Nature Matters: Vital Poems from the Global Majority” – along with a pen, he has signaled the beginning of a new tradition of courtesy and knowledge-based political engagement.
The most significant outcome of this pivotal meeting is the mutual agreement to hold the next election before the upcoming Ramadan – a development that brings relief to the people and injects fresh momentum into the political landscape. By moving away from the previously proposed and unpopular April timeline, Prof Yunus deserves praise for opting for a more reasonable election window. His timely decision reflects the hopes and expectations of democratic forces and the general public.
The meeting has paved the way for a dignified exit of the interim government through a process of justice, reform, and election – offering clear guidance on a timeline for democratic power transition.
According to developments leading up to the meeting, it was the interim government that had expressed the initial interest in such dialogue. Following the meeting, both parties publicly expressed satisfaction with the outcome, which has been seen as a reassuring signal for all. However, some political analysts have raised questions about how long this satisfaction will last. Given the depth of the crisis and the prior distance between the two parties, such skepticism may not be entirely misplaced.
There had been a growing perception that BNP was unsure or hesitant about elections. Meanwhile, some factions supporting the interim government began vocally demanding that reforms and trials of Sheikh Hasina precede any election, with proposals that Prof Yunus’s administration be extended by 5-10 years – rhetoric that fueled distrust toward the interim government.
But following this meeting, those suspicions seem to have been largely put to rest. The government is hopeful that all preparations can be completed to hold the election in the week before Ramadan 2026. That means tangible progress must be made on both reform and justice within that timeline. Since Ramadan is expected to begin in mid-February, there appears to be no objection from the interim government if elections are held in February.
This implies that implementing minimal reforms and making headway on war crimes trials are priorities for the chief adviser – as would be expected from a Nobel laureate intent on proving the interim government’s credibility after the mass uprising.
On the other hand, Tarique Rahman also acknowledged the need for time to achieve necessary reforms and initiate justice processes. He did not insist on a rigid December timeline. This mutual flexibility has helped bridge earlier gaps between the two parties.
The meeting also discussed timelines for trials and reforms – a highly encouraging sign. The interim government is prioritizing three key goals: elections, reforms, and justice against fascists. These align with what the public and political stakeholders have been expecting from the post-uprising interim government.
Awami League’s fascist politics not only destroyed the electoral culture but also dismantled every institution linked to the election process. It is now hoped that under Prof Yunus’s leadership, the minimum required reforms will be completed to ensure a transparent and fair national election. There is no alternative path to restoring democratic Bangladesh. Only a credible election can bring back stability and establish a government with a people’s mandate.
Political parties have laid out various reform proposals. We strongly believe that the next elected government will implement logical and necessary reforms. The current interim government deserves credit for initiating the war crimes justice process, though such trials are long and ongoing by nature. Post-election, the elected government must carry forward these trials to fulfill public expectations.
We must remember – Bangladesh has rid itself of fascism through a long, bloody movement and mass uprising. Only through a credible justice process can we honor that sacrifice. Otherwise, we risk remaining an ungrateful nation. Yet, no matter the trials or reforms, the top priority must be a free and fair national election.
A government elected by the people’s vote is, by definition, a mandate-driven democratic administration. The fall of the unelected fascist regime established by the Awami League and the return of democracy through elections was the central goal of the mass movement and uprising.
Under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, millions of BNP leaders and workers endured imprisonment, torture, and oppression while demanding fair and transparent elections. Their sacrifices can only be fulfilled by returning to democracy through a credible election.
Through the London meeting, the BNP has reaffirmed that commitment. Once again, Tarique Rahman has put Bangladesh first with bold leadership in restoring democratic governance. This spirit of goodwill and understanding between the leader of the largest political party and the head of the interim government has ultimately vindicated the people’s democratic aspirations.
If democracy wins, Bangladesh wins. The people win.
Now the expectation is that the interim government will stand firm in its position and begin full-scale preparations to hold the election before the upcoming Ramadan – an election in which all pro-democracy political parties will take part.
The writer is researcher and political analyst.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
