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BangladeshNationalist Party-BNP
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman sat down for a highly anticipated meeting today at The Dorchester Hotel in London's Park Lane.
The meeting began, as scheduled, at exactly 9:00am local time (2:00pm Bangladesh time), ending at around 10:30am.
Tarique Rahman 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.
Videos showed National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman and Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam welcoming the BNP delegation and escorting them from the entrance of the hotel to the designated room.
Prof Yunus and Tarique Rahman exchanged pleasantries before the meeting began, with the BNP leader inquiring after the chief adviser's health and passing along greetings from his mother and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, followed by a brief conversation about the weather.
Chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus has said if necessary preparations are completed, the next national election could be held in the week before the beginning of Ramadan in 2026 (early February).
He, however, emphasised that sufficient progress on reforms and trials would be required for such an election timeline. The announcement was made in a joint statement of the chief adviser and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday, following their meeting in London in the United Kingdom.
Following the meeting, national security adviser Khalilur Rahman, chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam, BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Humayun Kabir appeared in a joint press briefing.
According to the joint statement, the meeting between professor Yunus and Tarique Rahman was held in a cordial atmosphere. Tarique Rahman proposed that elections be held before the beginning of Ramadan in 2026, citing that BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia also holds the same view.
In response, the chief adviser said his government had already announced an election by the first half of April 2026. However, if all preparations are completed in time, it is possible to move the election up to the week before Ramadan. Professor Yunus stressed ensuring sufficient progress in reforms and trials before the election timeline.
Tarique Rahman welcomed the chief adviser’s position and thanked him on behalf of his party. Professor Yunus, in turn, thanked Tarique for a productive discussion.
