dhaka: The National Consensus Commission today resumed its talks with political parties for the eighth consecutive day in the second phase, aiming to build unity on the recommendations of various reform commissions formed by the interim government and to formulate the ‘July Charter’ as soon as possible. The meeting officially commenced at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital at 11 am, starting with a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs of the July Uprising.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Prof Dr. Ali Riaz expressed optimism as he stood on the second day of July, stating that with concerted efforts, the commission could finalize the charter by mid-July. Reflecting on the July 2024 Uprising, he remarked on the dual emotions of pain for lost friends and colleagues and responsibility towards their legacy. Prof Ali Riaz emphasized the importance of understanding each other through discussion and striving for success, which fuels his confidence in reaching a consensus soon.
The meeting was presided over by Commission Vice-Chairman Prof Ali Riaz and attended by Commission members Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder, Dr. Md Ayub Mia, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Safar Raj Hossain, and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Monir Haider. Representatives from 30 political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gana Sanghati, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Biplobi Workers Party, and Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, participated in the discussions.
Previously, the commission’s meetings covered topics such as the term of the Prime Minister, the presidential election system, principles of state governance, and the formation of independent committees to delineate parliamentary seat boundaries. According to commission sources, representatives of the political parties are expected to provide a briefing after the day-long discussions.
The proceedings are being broadcast live by Bangladesh Television, allowing the public to follow the crucial discussions aimed at shaping the nation’s future governance framework.