Behind the Scenes: The Making of the Yunus-Tarique London Meeting
Growing tensions between the government and BNP over the April election announcement had cast doubt on Tarique’s willingness to meet Chief Adviser Yunus.
Eid Buzz: High-Stakes Yunus–Tarique London Meeting Set for Friday
Amid the Eid holidays, political circles and the public are abuzz with anticipation ahead of a high-profile meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, scheduled for Friday in London.
With growing tensions over the government’s announcement of elections in early April and BNP’s demand for December polls, the Yunus-Tarique meeting has taken on critical importance. Initial doubts over Tarique’s willingness to meet Prof Yunus—given the rift between the two camps—were resolved after days of backchannel diplomacy.
Following repeated outreach from government advisers and diplomatic channels, BNP’s National Standing Committee approved the meeting late Monday. Persistent efforts from the Chief Adviser’s Office, coupled with direct contact with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and senior leaders, proved key in securing Tarique’s nod.
The meeting is set to take place between 9am and 11am (local time) at the Dorchester Hotel near Hyde Park, where Prof Yunus is staying during his four-day UK visit to receive the Harmony Award from King Charles III.
Political and diplomatic sources confirm that discussions for a possible meeting began as soon as Yunus’s UK visit was announced. While he has held talks with leaders across the political spectrum since taking office in August last year, this will be his first meeting with BNP’s acting chairman.
Initial reluctance from BNP stemmed from unresolved issues regarding the election roadmap, especially after Yunus’s Eid-eve address confirmed April polls. The party cited Ramadan, Eid, board exams, and seasonal storms as reasons for opposing the timeline.
Tensions further escalated when the government appointed an adviser—previously criticised by BNP—to coordinate the meeting. However, urgent interventions by senior advisers, including outreach to BNP leaders in Dhaka and Bangkok, helped bring the party on board.
The BNP Standing Committee, after internal consultations, authorised Tarique to represent the party and engage in open dialogue. Party insiders framed the decision as a strategic move in hopes of unlocking a political breakthrough.
At a press conference, Mirza Fakhrul described the upcoming meeting as the “most significant political event of the moment” and expressed hope it could reset the political climate. “This meeting could be a turning point,” he said.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, in a June 7 meeting with senior leaders, also advised against confrontation with the Chief Adviser, underscoring the high stakes of the current moment.
What's Your Reaction?
