Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s decision to skip the first day of talks with the National Consensus Commission (NCC) was a ‘symbolic protest’against the interim government, said party Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters after joining the second day’s discussion at the Foreign Service Academy, Taher clarified that the boycott was a reaction to certain actions taken by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus during his recent London trip.
“We raised objections to and issued a statement regarding his London visit. Our highest executive council approved this position,” he said.
He went on to say, “The chief adviser went to London to receive an award and retrieve laundered money, which we welcomed. He also met BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, which we also appreciated. However, he later issued a joint statement with only one party, which surprised and embarrassed us.”
Taher emphasised that issuing a joint statement with a representative of a single party without consulting others was unprecedented and inappropriate for someone in Yunus's position.
“There’s no precedent for a chief adviser issuing a joint statement with the representative of just one political party. It caused discomfort to all other parties, including ours,” he said.
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Jamaat’s discomfort also stemmed from Yunus’ pre-announcement of an election date during a televised speech, which, Taher argued, left no room for adjustments based on future dialogue.
“If the chief adviser had returned to the country and reconsidered the matter through consultations, that would have been acceptable. But he did not,” he added.
Taher accused Yunus of compromising his neutrality by aligning too closely with one party, warning that such moves could hinder progress in the NCC’s reform agenda.
“If things continue this way, the commission may yield little impact — like a mountain giving birth to a mouse,” he said.
Despite this, Taher said, top officials of the interim government, including Yunus himself, reached out to Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, assuring the party of a neutral and transparent approach going forward. This led to Jamaat’s participation in the second day's of talks.
Taher also addressed recent comments from the Home Affairs Adviser, who claimed a level playing field had already been established.
“It appears the adviser doesn’t understand what a level playing field means,” he said, questioning how someone unable to unlock a building in a month could guarantee nationwide law and order during elections.
Regarding women’s reserved seats, Taher said Jamaat has no objections as long as they are allocated proportionately.
On the proposed formation of a National Constitutional Council (NCC), he confirmed Jamaat’s support, recommending the exclusion of the president and chief justice to avoid future conflicts of interest. "Jamaat also suggested keeping military leaders outside the council structure."
Taher was accompanied by Assistant Secretaries General Rafiqul Islam Khan and Hamidur Rahman Azad during the briefing.