Dhaka: BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday evening at the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna. A BNP Standing Committee member and a source at the Chief Adviser’s Office confirmed that several BNP Standing Committee members will accompany Tarique as they discuss issues relating to the election atmosphere.

According to United News of Bangladesh, this will be the second formal meeting between the Chief Adviser and the BNP Chairman. Tarique and Prof Yunus previously held their first one-to-one meeting in London on June 13 last year, when Tarique was serving as the party’s acting chairman. Following that meeting at the Dorchester Hotel, both sides issued a joint statement.

Tarique Rahman returned home after spending 17 years in exile in the United Kingdom on December 25. Upon landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, he spoke to Prof Yunus over the phone from the VIP lounge and thanked him for the interim government’s initiatives to ensure the security of him and his family members.

The two briefly met again on December 31 during the namaz-e-janaza of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on the Parliament premises. But Thursday’s meeting will mark their first formal talks since Tarique’s return. BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia passed away on December 30.

As per the schedule announced by the Election Commission, the 13th National Parliamentary Election will be held on February 12. A referendum on reforms and implementation of the July National Charter will also be held the same day.