The joint statement that was released following Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Tarique Rahman's meeting in London was drafted two days ago during casual conversations. However, the two leaders gave their approval during the meeting for it to be made public.
A reliable source from the government and BNP confirmed this information to the Khaborer Kagoj. Sources say that Dr. Yunus, the head of the interim government, was so impressed by the courtesy and politeness of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman at the meeting that the two leaders did not have to find any further momentum to move forward with the next discussion. They agreed to end corruption and looting from the country in the future, as well as the politics of violence. They agreed that a strong opposition party must be kept in the next parliament at any cost. Because without a strong opposition party in parliament, the government's mistakes will not be exposed. In the absence of an opposition party, it will be difficult to correct the government's mistakes. In this context, they mentioned the parliament during the time of Sheikh Hasina's government, which was ousted in a mass uprising. At that time, there was no strong opposition party in parliament, as most political parties were out of the elections. As a result, Sheikh Hasina's government gradually turned into an authoritarian government.
There has been a long-standing debate in Bangladesh's politics about the need for a strong opposition party. Most political parties believe that without a strong opposition party, it is impossible for the government to understand the hopes and aspirations of the people. As a result, constructive protests do not develop inside and outside the parliament. BNP also believes that even if Sheikh Hasina flees in the face of protests and there is no opposition party in parliament, the people will listen to the 'fugitive fascists' who speak from outside the country. Therefore, BNP is in favor of playing a responsible role in maintaining a strong opposition. They are not in favor of obstructing the opposition in any way.
BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Security Advisor Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Tarique Rahman's Foreign Affairs Advisor Humayun Kabir, and the Chief Advisor's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam participated in the informal discussion in London on the 'direction' of Dr. Yunus and Tarique Rahman.
Sources in close contact with Dr. Yunus and Tarique Rahman say that in addition to discussing the possible date of the election, several other important issues came up at the meeting at the Dorchester Hotel on Friday, June 13. One of these is that the two leaders expressed their views on how Bangladesh should run in the future. They agreed that reforms and the justice process should be carried forward as far as possible. They agreed that the genocide trial process should proceed to a certain stage during the interim government. They also agreed that the July Charter would be announced based on consensus.
The two leaders also told each other to be vigilant about various conspiracies against the country from home and abroad due to the disagreement between the government and the BNP over the election date. They expressed hope that there is anxiety and apprehension among the people of the country about the election, which will be dispelled after this meeting.
After the meeting, the chief advisor's press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, wrote on his verified Facebook page that the Tareq-Yunus meeting was 'game over' for the conspirators. He wrote that this historic meeting was the 'final nail' for the conspirators.
During the meeting, the two leaders openly discussed Bangladesh's security. The Rohingya issue, the corridor for Myanmar's Rakhine state, the army, and neighboring countries came up for discussion in this context.
Addressing Dr. Yunus, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said in the meeting, "My mother (Khaleda Zia) and you are both our elders. With your advice and guidance, the path of Bangladesh in the future can be paved." Close associates of the two leaders also told the Khaborer Kagoj that Tarique Rahman told Dr. Yunus, "We are not leaving you; you have to stay with the future government."
Dr. Yunus said in an interview in London that he would not remain in the post-election government. However, responsible sources in the BNP told the Khaborer Kagoj that the party wants to use Dr. Yunus's instructions in the future government, outside of executive power. They are hopeful that he will eventually agree to 'brand' Bangladesh to the outside world by playing a role in the international arena.
The meeting is considered to have created a particularly trustworthy connection between the two leaders. It was decided that discourse would be used to settle any future issues.
It is learned that Dr. Yunus praised Tarique Rahman highly in front of the leaders and government officials present after leaving the meeting. Yunus said that he had never met or spoken with Tarique Rahman previously. Nonetheless, it appeared like Tarique Rahman was a very amiable and courteous individual during the meeting. Dr. Yunus said that he was a very "gentlemanly" person, which was not something he imagined. He recalled the late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in this context. Yunus said that both of them were extraordinary people.
