Bangladesh’s political destiny might depend on a pivotal meeting on Friday, June 13, in London between interim government Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman. The dramatic dialogue comes as the rift between Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and the ruling interim government widens over when the country will hold its national election.
The London summit is attracting a lot of interest as it may open the door to an end to a lingering political impasse. Tarique Rahman, the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, is the head of the BNP—the nation’s largest party—following the ban on Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League from participating in polls by the interim administration.
Election Timeline Sparks Political Clash
Prof Muhammad Yunus, who came to the UK on Monday, June 9, recently said Bangladesh’s national elections would take place in April 2026. He said the delay is required to bring the necessary electoral and institutional reforms.
But the BNP resolutely opposes this timeline and is calling for elections by December 2025. The party argues that reforms may be possible earlier. Ex-PM Khaleda Zia has condemned the government under Yunus, accusing him of “Yunus ruling unelected for about a year now in a threat to democracy.” She has demanded nationwide protests.
Military Pressure and Hopes for Resolution
It has also mounted tensions after statements made by Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman who, in May, asked the caretaker government to conduct the elections by December. His intervention has added to the magnitude of the crisis.
The BNP views the next meeting as an opportunity to overcome the standoff. “We hope this meeting will have a positive contribution to ending the challenges of the political situation of Bangladesh,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated. “This meeting is the most important thing currently and is of extraordinary importance on the national as well as international level. A lot of issues can be solved through this meeting, and a new dimension might come about,” he continued.
BNP to Demand Neutral Poll Management
BNP leaders have also indicated their plans to raise the issue of the neutrality of the caretaker government in conducting the polls. Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the standing committee, said that the party would make recommendations designed to keep the election process equitable.
“Political talks will definitely happen, and discussions regarding the country’s current situation will be held. We hope the chief adviser will rethink his decision [on election date], and discuss the general situation of the country and the current political scene,” Ahmed informed the Daily Star.
As the meeting in London draws near, everyone is watching to see if Yunus and Tarique Rahman can put their differences aside and agree on the timing of Bangladesh’s next election. The result has caused much to hang in the balance regarding the nation’s democratic trajectory and political stability.
