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[🇧🇩] Meeting Between Dr. Yunus and Tareq Rahman

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[🇧🇩] Meeting Between Dr. Yunus and Tareq Rahman
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Special fondness for one party undermines chief adviser’s neutrality: Jamaat
Special Correspondent Dhaka
Updated: 14 Jun 2025, 17: 40

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Photo shows logo of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.Twitter

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed concern over the recent meeting between chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman in London, saying that the chief adviser’s special fondness for one party undermined his neutrality.

The party made the statement through a press release on Saturday, following a meeting of its central executive council. Jamaat said it is not ethically right for the interim government to hold a joint press briefing and issue a joint statement after a meeting with a particular political party. It goes against the country’s political culture.

According to the statement, the party considers the meeting between the chief adviser and the BNP leader ‘quite normal,’ as the chief adviser has already held talks – both separately and jointly – with different political parties.

Referring to the chief adviser’s 6 June address where he outlined a roadmap for the next general election by the first half of April 2026, Jamaat raised questions about the necessity of another statement after a meeting with one particular political party. They believe it would have been more appropriate had the chief adviser returned home and discussed matters with other political parties before revealing his stance.

Jamaat argued that as the head of government, holding a joint press conference with one political party is ethically unjustifiable. It gives rise to concerns among the public regarding a free, fair, and credible election.

“Given the existence of many active political parties in Bangladesh, making political decisions through consultation with one particular party cannot be considered appropriate,” the statement continued. Jamaat called on the interim government to maintain neutrality and ensure a level playing field for all, while taking necessary steps regarding reforms and trials.

Additionally, the party urged the chief adviser to clarify his position in addressing the concerns regarding the government’s neutrality and the integrity of the upcoming election.​
 

New polls timing: BNP upbeat, process irks Jamaat, NCP

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File visual: Anwar Sohel

The interim government's revised election timeline with certain conditions has stirred cautious optimism as well as raised questions among political parties.

While many parties including the BNP have welcomed the proposed timeline -- mid-February next year -- concerns have emerged regarding how the decision was reached through discussions with only one party.
  • BNP optimistic, but wary of conditions​
  • Jamaat slams joint press meet as 'ethically unjustified'​
  • NCP says election prioritised over reform, justice​

The BNP had long been demanding that the election be held by the year-end. It had been criticising the interim government for not unveiling a roadmap for the election.

The party, now the biggest one after the fall of the Awami League regime in August last year, pressed on with its call after Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus earlier this month announced that polls would be held in April next year.

The meeting between Yunus and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman in London on Friday, and the outcome now signal a potential thaw in the relations between the two sides.

This evolving dynamic suggests a realignment of political forces ahead of the next general election, according to party insiders.

The BNP is satisfied with the proposed election timeline, but it has expressed some concerns and reservations due to the strings attached to Prof Yunus's suggested polls timing.

On the other hand, the Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party have criticised the government for the way it came up with the fresh timeline.

The Jamaat yesterday said that holding a joint press conference abroad after a meeting with a single political party, and issuing a joint statement about the meeting, is "ethically unjustified" and marks a "deviation from the country's political culture".

"Through this, the chief adviser has expressed a tilt towards a particular party, which has undermined his neutrality," the Islamist party said in a statement.

At the meeting with Tarique, Yunus said the next general election could be held in the week leading up to Ramadan in 2026 if all preparations are completed.

He added that sufficient progress in reforms and the trials of perpetrators of the atrocities during the July uprising would be necessary to bring the election date forward from April.

Yunus made the remarks when Tarique suggested that the election take place before Ramadan. The month of fasting will begin in the third week of February.

This is a significant shift in both sides' stance on election timing.

The Jamaat discussed the issue at its central executive council meeting yesterday morning.

"The chief adviser's joint press conference with one party has created concerns among the public about whether the upcoming election will be free, fair, and acceptable," the party said in its statement.

It added that in a country where many political parties are actively engaged, it is not reasonable to take decisions on overall political matters by consulting only one party.

"We hope the interim government will remain neutral, ensure a level playing field for a free, fair, and credible election, and take necessary steps regarding justice and reforms," the statement read.

The NCP, in a statement on Friday, also said the government appeared to be prioritising a particular party's demands regarding the election.

While the talks regarding the election timing figured high at the meeting, the key demands of citizens in the post-uprising Bangladesh, namely justice and reform, were not given the same importance.

"The National Citizen Party finds it extremely frustrating," reads the statement.

"Our party is okay with any date between December and June. But prior to that, a consensus must be reached on fundamental reforms and how they would be implemented. Restructuring the existing Election Commission is another precondition for ensuring a level playing field for a fair election," Ariful Islam Adeeb, senior joint convener of the NCP, told The Daily Star.

"Even the chief adviser said that polls could be held in February if progress is made on reforms and ongoing trials. But the BNP is publicising it in such a way that as if the government has finalised the election timing. They [BNP] are confusing people," he added.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, headed by Mamunul Haque, expressed deep concern in a statement yesterday.

As the head of a non-partisan interim government, Yunus has the responsibility to ensure equal treatment of all political parties, the Khelafat Majlish said.

"Issuing a joint statement with the leader of a particular political party raises questions about his neutrality and acceptability and sends a message of state-level discriminations against other political parties," the Islamist party said.

"We hope the leadership of the interim government will play a more cautious and balanced role in the coming days, so that national unity is established and an acceptable electoral environment is ensured," the statement added.

The Khelafat Majlish also said it welcomes any constructive dialogue and discussion aimed at easing the ongoing political tensions and paving the way for a credible, peaceful, and neutral election.

Meanwhile, Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque said the meeting could be viewed as a step toward reforms, justice and polls, potentially offering a dignified exit for the interim government.

"This could help resolve the political stalemate. It might also reduce concerns about the government leaning towards any particular direction," he added while talking at a programme in the capital.

In reaction to the Jamaat's statement, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told The Daily Star, "It was not a matter of fondness for any party. Rather, the new election timeline announced by the chief adviser aligns with the Jamaat ameer's suggestion that the election could be held in February, before Ramadan in 2026."

A majority of the parties, not just the BNP, demanded that the election be held within December, he said.

"Now, considering Ramadan, public exams, and weather conditions, the time that has been set is suitable for holding the election. We welcome it."

Talking about NCP's reaction to the meeting, Salahuddin said that the NCP is viewing it from a partisan perspective. "They should rise above their party views, make decisions keeping in mind the broader national interest."

Prof Al Masud Hasanuzzaman of Jahangirnagar University's government and politics department said signs of compromise aimed at resolving the electoral stalemate have emerged following the meeting. He described this as a positive development overall.

Asked about a possible shift in the political landscape, he explained that in the coming days, politics will centre around the election. Political parties will make their calculations, issue strategic statements, and ultimately launch their election campaigns.

"If all parties were to reach complete agreement, there would be no conflict. However, in politics and democratic processes, differences of opinion are inevitable and must be acknowledged," he said.​
 

BNP leader Anne urges unity, downplays debate over Yunus-Tarique meeting

UNB
Published :
Jun 15, 2025 20:26
Updated :
Jun 15, 2025 20:26

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BNP Joint Secretary General Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anne on Sunday called upon all political parties to stay united for the sake of democracy and rebuilding Bangladesh, instead of creating unnecessary debate over the recent meeting between Prof Muhammad Yunus and Tarique Rahman in London.

"Some people were objecting to this meeting, but I think it does not go with the spirit of democracy. It is not justified. There is still time. I believe every party should come together in the greater interest of democracy," he said while speaking at a milad and doa mahfil.

Jatiyatabadi Ulema Dal organised the programme on the ground floor of BNP's Nayapaltan central office, seeking the complete recovery of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia and the speedy recovery of party Religious Affairs Secretary Rafiqul Islam Jamal.

Following the ouster of the fascist regime through the July-August mass uprising, Anne said all parties should move forward maintaining unity. "That unity is possible under the leadership of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman."

He said a joint statement was issued following a warm meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique on Friday, reflecting the hopes and aspirations of the country's people.

"It is the goal of all of us who fought against fascism to build a better Bangladesh. The foundation of democracy will be weakened if the anti-fascist political parties remain divided," the BNP leader observed.

He also said there should not have been any heartburn among political parties over the meeting held in London.

Anne criticised Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman for his comment that there was favouritism towards a specific party in the meeting.

Stating that everyone knows the reason behind Tarique's exile in London, Anne questioned why this meeting is now being criticised.

He pointed out that Jamaat had met the Chief Adviser several times, but Tarique could not do so earlier as he has been staying abroad.

In the current context, he said, the meeting was important for Bangladesh's election, reforms and justice, just like the meetings held inside the country with other political parties.

The BNP leader said had Tarique been in the country, his meeting with the Chief Adviser would not have taken place abroad.

He said Tarique Rahman has announced a 31-point state reform outline as BNP is against the rule of one-party and one-person.

If BNP is voted to power, Anne said it will form a national government with all the parties who were part of the movement against the fascist Awami League regime.​
 

‘No signature’ on Yunus, Tarique joint declaration on poll time, CEC in doubt

Published :
Jun 15, 2025 23:34
Updated :
Jun 15, 2025 23:34

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Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said the joint declaration issued following the meeting between BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus in London is “not official” as it lacks signatures.

Speaking to reporters at the Nirbachan Bhaban, or Election Building, in Dhaka’s Agargaon on Sunday, the first working day after the Eid-ul-Azha break, the CEC said: “Since there are no signatures on it, we cannot consider it an official government document.”

The CEC also clarified that it is currently infeasible to announce a specific election date eight to 10 months ahead of the vote, reports bdnews24.com.

In his Eid-ul-Azha address to the nation, the chief advisor had suggested that elections could be held in the first week of April 2026.

Following his meeting with Tarique on Friday, the head of the interim government further indicated that, if sufficient progress is made on reforms and trials, elections could be held before Ramadan begins in February.

After the meeting, National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman said: “The chief advisor said that he had announced elections would be held by the first half of April next year. But, if all preparations are completed, the elections can be organised in the week before the start of Ramadan in 2026. In that case, it will be necessary to achieve sufficient progress on reforms and trials by that time.”


Responding to a question on the possible election date in light of the declaration, the CEC said: “Now a new dimension has emerged. We have only learned about this declaration made in London through the media, like everyone else.

“The joint declaration is unsigned -- we don’t know how genuine it is. If someone had signed it, we'd understand that it had official endorsement from both the government and the party.”

He added, “Just as history has layers, so do political dialogues. A declaration has been made, surely there were in-depth talks behind it... we need to know those to proceed with decisions.”

Referring to the national security advisor’s remarks, he said: “The (interim) government is holding talks with political parties on reforms. Trials are a matter of the courts, but there’s discussion around expediting the process.”

He continued, “We believe the government will announce a date. But after the London visit, some of that responsibility is now shifting toward us.”

The CEC emphasised that discussion with the government is required to gain clarity on the election date. However, he affirmed that the EC is prepared for either February or April.

“We were initially told elections could be held between December and June 2026, and we've been preparing with that window in mind,” he said.​
 

No discussion on indemnity in London meeting: Salahuddin Ahmed
Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 16 Jun 2025, 23: 07

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BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed talks to the media Prothom Alo

There was no discussion on anyone’s impunity in the meeting between chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman in London, party’s standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said on Monday.

Salahuddin Ahmed was addressing a seminar on current political affairs and the budget 2025-26 with a view to forming a welfare state, held at Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah Hall at National Press Club.

Nagorik Oikya organised the seminar.

The meeting between Muhammad Yunus and Tarique Rahman was held in London on Friday. Following the meeting, a joint statement was issued that said the elections could be held in the first half of February next year if all the preparations are completed.


He further said there was no discussion on anyone’s indemnity in the London meeting. The advisory council has been constituted as per article 106 of the constitution.

As the constitution is in force, this is a constitutional government, he pointed out.

Salahuddin Ahmed said the decision that has been made following the decision in London will soon be communicated to the election commission (EC) through appropriate channels so that the election commission could tell the public that they received a message from the government.

Addressing the interim government, Salahuddin Ahmed said, “You will need ratification from the next parliament. Please keep this in mind, we will consider how the ratification will be given legitimacy and in which places. So, please take pro-democracy and pro-people initiatives so that we can move to the democratic process very soon.”

The BNP standing committee member also remarked that no measure has been taken in the budget to bring down the inflation rate.

According to him, 10 months is a sufficient time for preparing a budget. An elected government does not work for 12 months to prepare a budget; they pay attention to it three or four months prior (to the announcement). But the budget presented by the interim government is an regular budget.

Salahuddin Ahmed further said if the policy decisions of the budget comes from the bureaucratic level rather than a political party, it never becomes a pro-people budget. All of the decisions the politicians take in parliament are for marginal people.

Fascist Hasina regime in the last 16 years looted more than the British did in their long ruling period in this country, Salahuddin Ahmed remarked.

Nagorik Oikya president Mahmudur Rahman Manna chaired the seminar where Nagorik Oikya organising secretary Sakib Anwar read out a written speech.

Among others, Revolutionary Workers Party general secretary Saiful Islam, Nagorik Oikya general secretary Shahidullah Kaiser, Ganosamhati Andolan executive coordinator Abul Hasan, BASAD general secretary Bazlur Rashid, AB Party chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju, Bangladesh Teachers’ Union president Abul Bashar Hawlader also addressed the seminar.​
 

London meeting: How far has the political ice melted?

Mahmudur Rahman Manna
Updated: 23 Jun 2025, 19: 36

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When Professor Muhammad Yunus took over as the head of the interim government, there was a collective sigh of relief all over the country. A man of such calibre! He was never involved in politics (actually he had once made a move in that direction, but it didn't work out. He realised that politics wasn't for him and avoided proceeding in that direction again). The people wanted this. I don't know about other countries, but here the people are not too fond of politics or politicians, even though they rush to them in times of crisis.

What sort of man can Professor Yunus be defined as? He is an international celebrity. He is a man of high stature, a man of considerable intellect. He loves to dream and to nurture dreams. Reforming Bangladesh had been his dreams. Speaking to the foreign press, he has repeatedly said, and continues to say, once the reforms are done, he will go back to his previous work. Journalists asked him about his thoughts concerning politics in the future.

He replied in no uncertain terms that he will not be involved in politics in the future. I have been reiterating this ever since he took over responsibility. As a politician, has it been prudent of me to give the head of the country such an important certificate? Perhaps not. Politics, after all, is a complex matter. There are many men, many minds here. Democracy means respecting everyone's opinion and then drawing up policies and running the country in accordance to the majority. It is no easy task. As it is, people's brains are the most complex and developed matter. Needless to say, it is an arduous task to take into cognizance and synthesise the views of millions of people.

Does Professor Yunus have a complex mind? Who knows? No one really knows what is in a person's mind. As an admiring student, as far as I can tell, he is not like that. Can he perceive complexities and deviousness? Can he handle such matters? I don't think so. Rather, in this regard, he could be given a score of zero.

When he returned to the country after 5 August, he said at the airport, "You have to listen to me or I will leave." He said this laughingly, not as a threat, but he certainly was no diplomatic. Having travelled the world over as the head of Grameen Bank, have met with so many important persons and leaders, one would expect a bit more diplomacy. I have often said that Professor Yunus has an endearing manner of speaking. One listens with rapt attention when he speaks. Yet he is unwilling to speak when it comes to politics. But speak he must.

Yes, readers, I am referring to the London meeting. On the eve of the dialogue, BNP's secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that it was Professor Yunus who wanted to speak to the BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Now everyone believes that what Mirza Fakhrul has said is true. It was at Professor Yunus' behest that this dialogue was held and he lost in the dialogue.

Let me explain. It is not prudent to just say whatever comes to the mind. We are at such a juncture when it is not that important as to whether a leader or party has won. More important is whether democracy has won, whether the country has won.

We are really standing at crossroads of Bangladesh's history, or more appropriately, at Bangladesh's democratic history. Jamaat, NCP and a couple of other parties were piqued that the government took such an important decision regarding the time of election in consultation with just one political party and sidestepped protocol by issuing a joint statement in this regard. In protest, Jamaat boycotted one meeting of the consensus commission.

I agree with the sentiment of Jamaat and the other couple of political parties in this regard. This decision could have been taken by reaching out to everyone, I feel. This is a failure to understand on the part of the government, or simply their ignorance about political strategy.

Just even days before that the chief advisor had said that other than one party, everyone was in consensus about the election being held in April (in order words, he was blaming BNP for creating the disorder). And then he went around to fix the election date in February, consulting then alone! Rather childish, what?

One

Our party, Nagorik Oikya, or even our alliance Ganatantra Mancha, was not taken into consideration by the government in any way, but we didn’t go make a fuss over the matter. We felt that this government does not know how to value such sentiments. The deterioration in relations between the government and BNP regarding the timing of the election could have become dangerous. The London dialogue has averted that danger. The ice of the cold war that had begun to form has melted. The public doubt about whether the election would happen or not has been dispelled. I see this as a turning point.

Now political parties must show greater patience, tolerance, and practice humility, reason, restraint, and mutual respect in their speech. Many points of contention or arguments can certainly be created, but that will yield no benefit, only harm. To overthrow fascism and establish a democratic state, there is no alternative to an acceptable and quality election. After that election, this government will no longer have any legitimacy.

That is why fighting this government now is like fighting a shadow. The encouraging part is that, aside from minor disagreements, the political parties are not doing that. The support they extended to this interim government on 8 August still remains intact.

Two

After the London meeting, the ice has started to melt. But has it completely melted? That cannot really be said with certainty. That's not how things run. Politics is always dynamic and full of contradictions. There will inevitably be differences of opinion and conflict. That is all the more true when the stakes are power or elections. Just look at the situation in Dhaka South City Corporation. The government and BNP’s Dhaka South units are in direct confrontation. What’s happening there can hardly be considered healthy. It’s a display of force and stubbornness. Yet, after the London meeting, a spirit of compromise was expected.

In that meeting, particularly from the government’s side, it was said that while announcing the election timeline, they hoped to see visible progress in three areas. The question is: from whom is the government expecting progress? The responsibility lies primarily with the government. Of course, the government can expect full cooperation from political parties in matters of reform and the drafting of the July Charter.

Since 17 June, the consensus commission has entered its second phase of discussions with political parties regarding reforms. The parties have agreed that opposition representatives will chair a few standing committees in parliament, and there is consensus on Article 70 reforms. This is a positive step forward.

We will be able to overcome the obstacles and differences of opinion that lie ahead and continue to move forward. We will be able to take the necessary steps and make the necessary decisions to reach the foothills of democracy
However, there is still no resolution on differing opinions regarding the president, the Upper House elections, and the tenure of the prime minister. It has been said that discussions will continue. In the previous day's meeting, no consensus was reached regarding the constitutional council.

Additionally, although there is agreement to increase the number of women members from 50 to 100, there has been no decision on how these 100 will be elected. It’s clear that the question of forming an Upper House in parliament remains unresolved. And that means the broader question of establishing a bicameral parliament also remains unsettled.
At this moment, perhaps the most crucial issue for the government is the July Charter. The mass student uprising that took place last July will be commemorated this year by drafting the charter based on national consensus. Professor Yunus himself has told foreign stakeholders that the charter will definitely be adopted this July.

I have seen in the newspapers that the protagonists of the July uprising are all concerned about their own safety. The forces overthrown in the July uprising who have fled the country, are involved in all sorts of ulterior plot abroad, to get back they lost empire. That threat exists.

Will there be a July Charter based on consensus? Differences of opinion among those who were part of the July Movement have become apparent and that is only natural. The political parties are separate and that’s why they have differing views. At a historic moment, they united against fascism in response to the nation’s collective need. A year has passed since then. Now, politics will naturally begin to revolve around their own differences. Added to that is the upcoming national election, which is primarily a matter of competition and rivalry, of one side winning by defeating the other. That is why the apprehensions do not go away, the anxiety doesn’t subside.

Will the election be held properly? It’s not possible to say anything with certainty, or to predict the future, nor is that appropriate in politics. There are too many variables. Even so, we have come a long way. I believe that we will be able to overcome the obstacles and differences of opinion that lie ahead and continue to move forward. We will be able to take the necessary steps and make the necessary decisions to reach the foothills of democracy.

* Mahmudur Rahman Manna is president of Nagorik Oikya​
 

Tarique greets Yunus on his birthday

FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Jun 28, 2025 19:40
Updated :
Jun 28, 2025 19:40

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On the occasion of the 85th birthday of Chief Adviser Dr Yunus, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman extended his greetings, according to local media reports.

At around 6 PM on Saturday, Tarique Rahman's message, along with a bouquet and a cake, was delivered to Dr Yunus’s office by ABM Abdus Sattar, Private Secretary to the BNP Chairperson.

The floral tribute was received on behalf of Dr Yunus by his Military Secretary, retired Major General Ferdousi Hasan Selim.

According to BNP Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan, Dr Yunus expressed sincere gratitude upon receiving the greetings sent by Tarique Rahman.​
 
তারেক রহমান কেন দেশে আসছেন না, তার মূল কারণ হলো ড. ইউনুস তার বাংলাদেশি পাসপোর্ট ইস্যু করছেন না। এই ভিডিওতে বিষয়টি খুবই সুন্দরভাবে ব্যাখ্যা করা হয়েছে।
 
তারেক রহমান কেন দেশে আসছেন না, তার মূল কারণ হলো ড. ইউনুস তার বাংলাদেশি পাসপোর্ট ইস্যু করছেন না। এই ভিডিওতে বিষয়টি খুবই সুন্দরভাবে ব্যাখ্যা করা হয়েছে।


@Saif @Bilal9 do u understand this?
 

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