News Desk

The much-hyped meeting between Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman ended after nearly one and half hours of discussions on various crucial issues ahead of the general election in Bangladesh.

The meeting began at the Dorchester Hotel in London at 2pm, Bangladesh time, on Friday and continued till 3:30 pm (BST) said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.

The meeting was scheduled to end at 4 PM but concluded half an hour earlier than planned.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury are likely to brief reporters about the outcome of the much-talked-about parley.

Earlier, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam received Tarique Rahman upon his arrival at the hotel around 1:50pm.

BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said Tarique, accompanied by BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and International Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, left his London residence around 1pm for the meeting venue.

Several hundred leaders and activists from the BNP’s UK Chapter, who had gathered in front of The Dorchester earlier in the morning, warmly welcomed Tarique as he arrived.

Meanwhile, Dr Khalilur Rahman and BNP leader Amir Khosru also held a separate meeting at The Dorchester Hotel, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder.

BNP media cell convener Dr Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel said Amir Khosru will brief reporters about the meeting between the Chief Adviser and the BNP Acting Chairman.

The high-profile meeting has already sparked significant interest in the country’s political arena. 

All eyes are now on London, as many see this as a potential turning point in Bangladesh’s political landscape ahead of the upcoming election.

BNP senior leaders and political analysts believe several key issues, including the election timeline, proposed reforms, the July Charter, justice for the victims of the July–August mass uprising, a safe and orderly transfer of power, ratification of decisions made by the interim government, a dignified exit strategy for the interim administration, and the possible return of Tarique Rahman to Bangladesh, were supposed to be discussed at the meeting.

BNP leaders consider this meeting a significant step towards resolving the deadlock over the election schedule, suggesting that adjusting the timeline could be a central issue in the talks.