BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday expressed the hope that political parties will reach a ‘minimum consensus’ on state reforms through talks to facilitate the quick holding 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.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the National Consensus Commission, the BNP leader said political parties participated in initial discussions with the Consensus Commission. “Different political parties made various remarks there.”

"We (BNP) hope that a minimum consensus on this reform will be reached very soon and that the national elections will be held very soon based on that. This is our expectation,” he said.

Fakhrul said the chief adviser, along with the National Consensus Commission, held the first meeting with the political parties on Saturday and he talked about the necessity and importance of reforms. “In the meeting, he mentioned that political parties will discuss each of the reports submitted by the reform commissions in the coming days,” the BNP leader said.

Govt enters second phase as national consensus talks begin: Press Secretary

In response to a question, the BNP leader reiterated that they have already made it clear that the national parliamentary election must be held first, and then the local government elections will be held.

He, however, said they did not engage in any in-depth discussion about the elections during the meeting. "There was only a preliminary discussion today (Saturday)... You could say the discussion was introductory. Different political parties expressed different views, and that reflected their own opinions," Fakhrul said.

He also said there was no positive, constructive discussion in the meeting due to the lack of scope.

Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said they told the meeting that reforms are necessary and should be implemented first before holding the election.

"The chief advisor mentioned that the national elections will be held by December. We are observing how this progresses," he said.

The Jamaat leader said the members of the National Consensus Commission will hold separate discussions with different parties and stakeholders to implement the reforms.

“Jamaat-e-Islami will welcome all positive decisions…we have stated that the election will be held as soon as possible after the final decisions of the reform commission are made,” he said.

Amar Bangladesh Party (AB) Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju said they informed the meeting that the government's authority in the administration has not yet been clearly established.

Political parties, National Consensus Commission to set Bangladesh's vision: Press Secretary

In such a situation, he warned, organising any election would be dangerous.

Meeting sources said some political parties, mainly the Islamist ones, emphasised the need holding the local body elections before the national election, but the majority of others opposed this proposal.

Earlier, major political parties, including the BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, had begun their meeting with the National Consensus Commission, led by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, on Saturday.

The meeting began at 3 pm at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.

This was the first meeting between political parties and the commission.

Delegations from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, LDP, Jatiya Party (Kazi Jafar), Nagorik Oikya, Islami Andolan, Khilafat Majlish, Ganosamhati Andolon, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gonoforum, Biplobi Workers Party, Jagpa, NPP, Labour Party, BJP Bangladesh JSD and Jatiya Nagorik Committee participated in the meeting.

Around 100 politicians from 26 parties and alliances attended the meeting, with all invitees present.

A six-member BNP delegation, led by Fakhrul, attended the meeting. The other BNP delegation members were Jamiruddin Sircar, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

BNP, Jamaat, others start meeting with National Consensus Commission

A seven-member 'National Consensus Commission' was formed on February 12 under the leadership of the Chief Advisor. This was the first meeting of the commission.

Meanwhile, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the interim government has entered its second phase with the start of the National Consensus Commission's meeting with political parties to discuss the future direction of the country, said Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

Speaking to reporters outside the Foreign Service Academy during the Asr prayer break on Saturday, he said, “Today is a historic day as the meeting of political parties with the National Consensus Committee has begun.”

He said around 100 politicians from 26 parties and alliances attended the meeting, with all invitees present.

During the meeting, the Chief Adviser said that the first phase of the government concluded after six months, and the second phase has now started.  The government is working towards building a Bangladesh that enjoys the support of the international community, major global nations, the people of the country and even the full backing of the United Nations, Shafiqul Alam said.

The Chief Adviser also highlighted the findings of the UN Human Rights Commission’s report on the July mass uprising, which revealed the horrific killings that occurred and identified those responsible. The report, he stated, also exposed the human rights violations that took place at that time.

“The second journey of the government has begun today through this meeting and it will be decided through this meeting what kind of Bangladesh we want in the future,” the Press Secretary said.