BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has advised her party not to engage in any conflict with Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the head of the interim government, regarding the upcoming national election. Instead, she encouraged reaching a mutual understanding through dialogue. She shared this guidance with BNP’s Standing Committee members during an Eid gathering at her Gulshan residence, Firoza, on June 7.

Senior BNP leader Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain confirmed the development to the media on Wednesday (June 11). According to him, Khaleda Zia emphasized that BNP should pursue a settlement with the interim authority, questioning whether they are truly in opposition to each other.

Two Standing Committee members further revealed that Khaleda Zia cautioned against creating unnecessary disputes over the election date and stressed resolving issues through discussion with the government. She also urged efforts to bridge the gap that has recently developed between BNP and Dr. Yunus through negotiation.

Dr. Yunus is currently in London on a four-day trip and is scheduled to meet BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, on June 13. BNP insiders say that the meeting will likely focus on settling the disagreement over the election timeline. Differences over electoral reforms and the role of the unity commission may also be discussed. However, recent controversies such as the Chattogram Port corridor issue and Myanmar border discussions are unlikely to dominate the meeting unless time permits.

According to party leaders, the main point of contention now lies in the proposed election date. Dr. Yunus has suggested holding the national election in April next year, while BNP insists on an election by December this year. BNP has consistently indicated in recent meetings that a compromise within one or two months on either side could resolve the issue.

Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain stated that BNP’s key negotiation points with the government have all been carefully decided by the party’s Standing Committee under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. These core issues will take priority in the upcoming Yunus-Tarique meeting.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir described the anticipated meeting between Dr. Yunus and Tarique Rahman as the most significant political event of the moment. On Tuesday (June 10), he remarked that the outcome could lead to major breakthroughs both nationally and internationally. “If this meeting takes place, many obstacles may be resolved and new possibilities could emerge,” he said, adding that the party leadership has given Tarique Rahman full authority in the discussions and is hopeful for a successful outcome.