The meeting was Tarique Rahman’s first formal engagement with allied party leaders since taking office

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a courtesy meeting and attended a dinner with leaders of political parties that had joined the BNP in the anti-fascist movement.

The programme began at the State Guest House Jamuna at 7:40pm with a recitation from the Holy Quran.

Tarique Rahman later exchanged greetings with the leaders of the allied parties before hosting a dinner in their honour.

PM’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said Tarique arrived at the venue at around 7:27pm.

He said leaders of 41 political parties that had participated in the movement to oust the Awami League government were invited to the programme.

LGRD Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the gathering was intended to bring together the parties that had fought side by side during the anti-government movement.

“We struggled together, and our party chairman and prime minister, Tarique Rahman, invited leaders of those parties. It is a reunion,” he said.

He added that the purpose of the programme was for the party chief to exchange greetings with the leaders of the allied parties.

Members of the BNP Standing Committee and the liaison committee formed during the movement also attended the programme.

The event marked the first formal interaction between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and leaders of the allied parties since the BNP formed the government after securing a parliamentary majority in the February 12 general election.

Leaders of Ganatantra Mancha, the 12-Party Alliance, Jatiyatabadi Samomona Jote, Gonotantrik Bam Oikya, Islami Oikya Jote and several other Islamist parties attended the event.