Major parties for polls after key reforms as Consensus Commission holds first talks
Major political parties and platforms at the first meeting with the National Consensus Commission today expressed their stance for the holding of elections after necessary reforms. Besides, except for a few, most parties have backed the demand for banning the Awami League.
The meeting, held from 3pm to 7pm at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, was attended by over 100 individuals representing 26 political parties and alliances. The meeting was chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
The first phase of the interim government has ended and the second phase has begun through political dialogue.
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Key political groups, including Jamaat-e-Islami, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, and Gana Adhikar Parishad, called for immediate structural reforms to eliminate what they termed as "Awami fascism" from the country's governance system.
The BNP reiterated its firm stance against any local government elections before the national elections. "Our expectation is that the minimum level of consensus on reforms will be reached soon, paving the way for a swift national election," said Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the party's secretary general.
Jamaat expressed support for all positive initiatives, stressing the importance of consensus on reforms and the need for elections to be conducted in a timely manner.
The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement proposed canceling the Awami League's registration as a first step towards making the party politically dysfunctional.
"The oppressive rule of the Awami League must end. Political reforms to prevent such misgovernance must be upheld by all parties, as this is their responsibility to the younger generation," said Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the movement.
Meanwhile, Biplobi Workers Party has demanded the national election be held this year. The 12-party alliance, Labor Party, Zonayed Saki's Ganosamhati Andolon, Jamiat Ulama-e Islam, and Gano Adhikar Parishad have expressed their preference for national election over reforms.
Ali Riaz, vice chairman of the National Consensus Commission, announced that individual meetings would soon be held with each political party regarding the reform commission reports.
"We want to engage with all political parties as quickly as possible," he added.
Earlier, on 12 February, the interim government formed the seven-member National Consensus Commission to review and adopt the recommendations submitted by six reform commissions.
The Commission will discuss the recommendations of the reform commissions with the political parties to reach a consensus on many political, constitutional, and electoral reform agendas.
On the first day of the meeting, 26 political parties and alliances participated, including 12 registered parties, 11 unregistered, and 3 alliances.
Other notable attendees included the Bangladesh Jatiya Party, Islami Andolan, LDP, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Jatiya Nagorik Committee, Hefazat-e-Islam, Ganatantra Mancha, and Jatiyatabadi Samamana Jote.
1st phase of interim govt over
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the meeting said the first phase of the interim government has ended and the second phase has begun through political dialogue.
CA's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters about the chief adviser's statement during a break.
During the meeting, Yunus urged the political parties to reach a consensus in implementing the proposals placed by six reform commissions, reports BSS.
"The six reform commissions tried their best in providing recommendations to build a new Bangladesh... Now our tasks are how and how much we will accept and implement those," he said.
Polls schedule determined by July Charter
The next national election schedule will be determined by the July Charter, said Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.
"The election could take place by December, depending on the July Charter. Some reforms may be implemented beforehand, while others will be addressed by the next government," he told the media.
Explaining the Consensus commission's six-month term, Shafiqul said, "There will be detailed discussions with political parties on the reform commission reports. We hope that all parties will sign the decisions reached through national consensus, which will then become the July Charter."
He noted that many of the reform recommendations could be implemented without political negotiations, while others would require broader consensus through discussions with parties.
BNP hopes 'minimum consensus'
After the meeting, BNP's Fakhrul told the media that his party hopes that political parties will reach a "minimum consensus" on state reforms through talks to facilitate swift organising of the national election.
"There will be discussions on the reports provided by the reform commissions. The political parties will engage in talks with the commissions, and efforts will be made to reach a consensus," he said.
He also said the meeting was merely an introductory session and that there was no constructive discussion.
Fakhrul said, "We [BNP] have said several times that we want the national election held first, before any other election."
Jamaat wants polls after reforms
Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said once there is agreement on the required reforms, elections should be held as soon as possible.
"The chief adviser has indicated elections by December, and we are observing how things progress," he said, adding that Jamaat will support all positive decisions.
"We have emphasised that elections should be conducted promptly after the final reform decisions. Once the reform proposals are provided in written form, we will review them and share our position in separate discussions with the government," said the Jamaat leader.
'Boat has sunk; it won't float again'
Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, asserted that the Awami League is politically irrelevant and should be legally banned.
"The boat has sunk, it will never float again. We have proposed canceling its registration to render it politically dysfunctional, and most parties support this," he stated.
He said eradicating misrule is a collective duty, adding, "Reforms must be upheld to ensure a better future for the next generation."
'Fight for a new constitution'
Nasiruddin Patwari, convener of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, said Bangladesh's future depends on drafting a new constitution through a national assembly.
He noted that while the government has begun its reform process, the fight for a new constitution has already started.
"Our political stance is clear - we are fighting for a new constitution. This is Bangladesh's final battle for liberation," he stated.
He announced that a major student movement is set to emerge this month, led by opposition student groups and the National Citizen Committee, to push this agenda forward.
Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of the Committee, said bringing the killers of the July Uprising to justice is the top priority.
"We made it clear that those responsible for the killings must face trial, regardless of their political affiliation. There will be no negotiations, direct or indirect," he stated.
He warned that any attempt to interfere in the judicial process will be met with strong opposition. "If we see any compromise, the Committee and the Student Movement will protest again," Sarjis added.
