Tarique may propose election in February during meeting with CA

To break the deadlock over the national election timeline, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman may propose holding the election in February next year during his meeting with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Friday (13 June).

The meeting comes at a time when the BNP has been demanding that the national election be held in December this year. But, in a televised address to the nation on 6 June, Yunus announced that the polls would be held in the first half of April 2026.

The BNP has strongly opposed this schedule, claiming that delaying the polls risks deepening the political crisis and weakening public trust. Besides, the party pointed out that April elections just after a month of fasting and Eid-ul-Fitr could also coincide with monsoon floods – all disrupting campaigning and voter turnout.

However, along with the interim government, the National Citizen Party (NCP) and the Jamaat-e-Islami have expressed reservations about December polls.

BNP leaders now hope Friday's meeting will help narrow the gap. Several insiders told The Business Standard that Tarique is expected to make a strong case for an earlier vote, which the chief adviser may consider.

The highly anticipated one-on-one meeting is scheduled to take place in London, from 9am to 11am local time, and has attracted considerable attention both at home and abroad.

"In the meeting, Tarique Rahman will clearly explain why April is not a suitable time for the elections and why December would be more appropriate. But if the chief adviser is willing to consider February as a compromise, there might be room for flexibility," a BNP Standing Committee member told UNB on condition of anonymity.

Jamaat leaders echoed similar concerns, stating that meaningful elections require proper groundwork, including a neutral election commission, voter list updates, and restored democratic freedoms.

Hopes to overcoming challenges

Regarding the meeting tomorrow, BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said, "We believe this meeting will lead to constructive negotiations on moving politics forward and restoring democracy through a credible national election. It will offer a glimmer of hope for overcoming the challenges we currently face."

He added, "Our acting chairman will present the party's position on the national election. We believe December is the most suitable time to hold the polls, while April poses several challenges," he added, urging the chief adviser to "take this into consideration and revise the election schedule accordingly."

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed called the meeting "not only necessary but also a matter of political decency." He said such dialogue could help "address key political challenges and reduce tensions."

He noted the discussion would focus on the overall political landscape and the future course of action, including the election date, neutrality of the interim government, and the rule of law. Broader issues such as national security would also be addressed.

"We are hopeful that once the two leaders meet, this issue—and many others—will be resolved through constructive dialogue," Salahuddin said, expressing confidence that the chief adviser would reconsider the April timeline in view of "weather, Ramadan and public examinations."

Another BNP Standing Committee member, Moyeen Khan, said the interim government may be moving away from a rigid stance on the election timeline, acknowledging the need for reconciliation over confrontation.

Earlier on 10 June, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the meeting may prove to be a "turning point" in addressing Bangladesh's ongoing political crisis.

"A new dimension may emerge from this meeting," he said.