ছবি: সংগৃহীত ছবি
A courtesy gathering hosted at Dhaka’s Hotel Sheraton Grand Ballroom on Saturday, where BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman exchanged greetings with editors, journalists, and media professionals from various outlets, has sparked renewed discussion in the political-media ecosystem of Bangladesh as the country enters a high-stakes election season; accompanied by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir—who remarked that circumstances over the past years prevented direct communication with the press—the event is being viewed not only as a gesture of goodwill but also as a strategic exercise in political narrative-building, media engagement, and perception management. Analysts argue that in a climate shaped by candidate appeals, campaign rhetoric, and narrative contests, visible engagement with the press carries symbolic weight by acknowledging journalism as an essential interface of democratic politics. Beyond the political calculus, the meeting also carried a human dimension—after years of distance, face-to-face interaction, conversation, and courtesy offered a moment of warmth in an otherwise competitive political environment, with many suggesting that such gestures help soften polarization and reopen spaces for dialogue. Images, quotes, and short video clips from the event spread widely across social media and diplomatic circles, fueling speculation that BNP seeks to reposition media relations as a strategic pillar heading into the polls. Ultimately, the gathering signaled both diplomacy and decorum—an uncommon blend in the current political landscape—offering a glimpse of how political actors may attempt to negotiate legitimacy, narrative, and public engagement in the months ahead.
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