United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission will sit with 12 more political parties on Sunday as part of its ongoing electoral dialogue ahead of the next general election. The Commission will exchange views with six parties in the morning session and with another six parties in the afternoon session on November 16, said EC’s (Public Relation) Assistant Director Asadul Haque. The six parties who are being invited for the Sunday’s morning session are Gonoforum, Gono Front, Islamic Front Bangladesh, Islami Oikyajote, Bangladesh Supreme Party (BSP) and Bangladesh Jatiya Party. The six other parties for the afternoon session are Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Bangladesh Jasod, Bangladesh National Awami Party-Bangladesh NAP, Trinomul BNP, Krishak Sramik Janata League, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and Islami Andolan Bangladesh. The Election Commission opened its much-talked-about pre-election dialogue with registered political parties on Thursday by holding discussions with six parties in the first session of the day. EC’s pre-election dialogue starts with 6 parties in opening batch  On the opening day, the Commission held talks with a total of 12 registered political parties in two separate sessions.  The 12 parties are Liberal Democratic Party-LDP, Bangladesh Congress, Bangladesh Muslim League, National People's Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Jamiyate Ulamaye Islam Bangladesh Communist Party of Bangladesh-CPB, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal-Basod, Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Nationalist Front-BNF and Bangladesh Nationalist Movement-BNM. Currently, there are 53 registered political parties, excluding the Awami League, whose registration remains suspended. Besides, the EC recognised three new parties, including NCP, as registered parties. The Commission aims to complete the dialogue with all registered political parties within this month before the announcement of the national election schedule in early December. In late September 2025, the Commission opened a series of electoral dialogues with different stakeholders amid talks with civil society representatives on September 28. Later, the EC held separate dialogues with the representatives of teachers, senior journalists from different media outlets, election experts and election observers.  

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday (12th November 2025) urged political parties not to make the country’s situation volatile by imposing various conditions, but instead to face people in next year’s national election, rather than issuing threats to the ‘fragile’ interim government. Speaking virtually at a discussion, he also said it is up to the interim government to decide whether it will implement the aspirations of any particular political party or prioritise holding the February election to establish a government accountable to the people of the country. “As preparations are underway to establish a government accountable to the people through their direct votes and to restore citizens’ rights, we have observed that a few political parties seem to be positioning themselves against the restoration of the political rights of democracy-loving people, taking advantage of the weaknesses of the interim government,” he said. Tarique said many of BNP’s allies from the anti-fascist street movement are expressing doubts about the February election next year. “I would like to draw the attention of our allies present here today that, instead of issuing threats to the interim government, let us face the people in the upcoming February election. Let us all come forward and stand before the people,” he said. Read more: Tarique Rahman likely to return home by end of November: Salahuddin BNP arranged the discussion at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre to mark the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’, commemorating the civil-military uprising on November 7, 1975, which marked 50 years. Senior leaders of different political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, addressed the programme and stressed the need to maintain unity among the anti-fascist political parties to ensure the restoration of democracy through the next national election, removing differences of opinion among them. Tarique Rahman warned that if any political party, seeing the interim government as weak, tries to get whatever it wants or uses tricks to deny the BNP a victory, such actions could ultimately lead to political disaster for that party. “I urge our allies on the streets --and anyone trying to muddy the waters--please do not try to make the situation volatile,” he said. The BNP leader said the international community has made it clear that without an elected government, they will not release funds. He said at this critical juncture--when the economy is struggling, unemployment is rising, and everything seems to be falling apart--some political parties are setting various conditions. “Some of those who once stood with us on the streets are now trying to obstruct the national election by attaching various preconditions. Creating complications over holding the election essentially means either trying to seize control of the state machinery without participating in the election or paving the way for the return of a fallen, defeated, and fugitive dictator,” Tarique said. He said associates of the runaway autocrat recently carried out arson attacks even in the capital. “This should serve as a warning for all forces that once fought against fascism.” In the past, the BNP leader said, some leaders of a party took shelter under the fascist umbrella to save themselves from repression as part of their political strategy. “In today’s changed circumstances, it seems the fallen and defeated autocrats are now trying to find refuge under the umbrella of that very party which once stood against fascism. It is time for everyone to take a hard look and think seriously about this situation,” he said. Tarique also expressed concern that a party may be trying to create scope for the rehabilitation of fallen, fugitive forces into politics under the guise of a referendum before the national election. “I call upon all democracy-loving people of the country to remain vigilant against such moves.” He said the people do not expect complete success from a short-term interim government in all areas, and it is not the interim government’s primary responsibility to fulfil every demand of the people. “The interim government has set the schedule for the national election in February. Now the government has to decide whether it will fulfil the aspirations of a particular political party or prioritise the February election to establish a government that is accountable to the democracy-loving people of the country,” the BNP leader said. He said the BNP has remained fully committed to maintaining unity in the anti-fascist alliance. “If we review the Consensus Commission’s discussions, it will be seen that the BNP has presented a positive stance on most points. Our position is very clear: the commitments made in the July Charter, which we signed, will be fully upheld by the BNP, and we remain strongly committed to fulfilling them,” Tarique said. He said over 1,500 people were martyred during the July–August movement, and students, the general public, women and men, farmers, and workers took to the streets. “The people took to the streets to assert their rights in the state and in politics. As a political activist, I believe that surely the people did not sacrifice their lives to create an opportunity for a particular political party or group to establish its rights or to engage in political bargaining,” the BNP leader said. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the politics of reconciliation initiated by Zia is now much needed in Bangladesh. Tarique Rahman likely to return home by end of November: Salahuddin He said an unnecessary crisis has been created with the motive to obstruct the election, which is necessary for reforms and the restoration of democracy, and to prevent uncertainty over the people’s future. The BNP leader urged all political parties to work together to resist any plots and ensure the restoration of democracy under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed recounted how BNP founder Ziaur Rahman came to politics and initiated various reforms to develop the country as a true patriot. “Ziaur Rahman was fully devoted to Bangladesh and worked only for the country and its people. He began reforms but could not complete them. I urge Tarique Rahman to continue from where your father and mother left off. We will provide our support,” he said. Jamaat's Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Jatiya Party (Zafar) Chairman Mostafa Jamal Haider, Gonoforum President Subrata Chowdhury, NPP Chairman Fariduzzaman Farhad, Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran, Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, AB Party Chairman Mojubur Rahman Monju, and Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan, educationist Prof Mahbub Ullah, among others, addressed the programme. BNP Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, Hafizuddin Ahmed, and Dr AZM Zahid Hossain also addressed the programme. Read more: Violence cannot halt elections, says Amir Khosru

Strongly opposing the introduction of a proportional representation (PR) system, BNP senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Saturday said it would only strengthen political parties while weakening the link between people and their elected representatives, ultimately causing suffering for the public. “PR basically weakens the position of an individual representative and strengthens the party instead,” he said while speaking at a seminar. The seminar, titled ‘Election 2026: A Critical Look at Proportional Representation’, was arranged by Cosmos Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Cosmos Group, at the Cosmos Centre in the capital’s Moghbazar area. United News of Bangladesh (UNB) was the media partner of the event. Under the PR system, Dr Moyeen, a BNP Standing Committee member, said people would vote for a party, not an individual, and the party would then decide who becomes a member of parliament. “This goes against our fundamental democratic spirit, where people elect their own representatives who are directly accountable to them.” He warned that making parties stronger while weakening individuals would create a “self-contradictory system,” noting that in Bangladesh, people have always wanted to prevent political parties from becoming too powerful. “Whenever political parties became too strong in the last 54 years, it ultimately brought suffering for the people,” the BNP leader said. Dr Moyeen Khan also observed that Bangladeshis are not yet mentally or intellectually prepared for such a complicated electoral process. “People here want a simple system where they can clearly understand who represents them and who they are voting for.”  

NCC Vice-Chair Prof Ali Riaz said on Sunday that the Commission will submit several proposals to the government on implementing the July National Charter 2025 if political parties fail to reach a consensus. “If the political parties cannot come to an agreement on how to implement the July Charter, the Commission will make more than one proposal before the interim government,” he said while chairing the dialogue between the NCC and political parties in the capital. The discussion, held at 11:45am at the Foreign Service Academy, aimed to determine the process for implementing the July National Charter 2025, particularly the Constitution-related reform recommendations. Prof Ali Riaz said the decision to implement the July National Charter ultimately rests with the interim government and the political parties. “If a consensus or a sort of agreement can be reached among you, the implementation will be easier and faster,” he said. Mentioning that the Chief Adviser of the interim government and also the head of the Commission held a meeting with the NCC members on Sunday morning, Prof Riaz said the Chief Adviser asked them to move forward swiftly and make the Charter acceptable to all by transforming it into a political document endorsed by every party. He said the Commission held the discussion with political parties for a specific reason — to discuss more concrete, well-defined and concise proposals regarding the implementation of the July Charter, if the political parties place. Prof Yunus happy over National Consensus Commission’s progress “If the political parties can present clear and concise proposals on the implementation process, we will consolidate and incorporate them in our submission to the interim government,” he said. “Our goal is to complete this process by October 15 next as the national election is approaching,” said the NCC Vice Chair, adding that they do not want to disrupt the electoral process or the electoral preparation of the political parties. “The Commission’s tenure ends on October 15, so we must complete the task before that,” Prof Riaz said, adding, “We know that you (political parties) have already held talks among yourselves. Based on that, if you can give a collective proposal beyond partisan considerations, we will discuss it further…..This is our sincere request to you.” Some 30 political parties and alliances, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and NCP, joined Sunday’s dialogue. Consensus Commission reviews final phase preparations for July Charter Earlier, the NCC sat with political parties on September 17 to explore ways to implement the July Charter. In the last discussion, the Commission presented before the political parties the final advice of its legal experts on the implementation of the July National Charter 2025, but the parties failed to reach a consensus over the enactment of a constitution order which may be endorsed by a referendum to be held simultaneously with the upcoming national election. The panel of legal experts advised that the interim government may enact a Constitution Order (CO) with immediate effect, incorporating the core reforms envisaged by the July Charter 2025. The CO may thereafter be put to a referendum to be held on the same date as the next general election. The CO may include the provision for referendum. If the CO receives the assent of the people through a referendum, it will be validated with effect from the date of its enactment, said the legal expert panel. Then, no dialogue was held with the political parties as NCC Vice Chair Prof Ali Riaz went to the USA on September 20 and returned on Tuesday last. The NCC has so far held three rounds of dialogue with political parties — from March 20 to May 19, from June 2 to July 30, and now the third round on the implementation of the charter since September 14 last.  National Consensus Commission tenure extended till October 15 The Consensus Commission, formed on February 15 last under the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government Prof Muhammad Yunus, to prepare a reform charter by July 15, 2025. Later, its tenure was extended on several occasions. Now the NCC will need to find a mechanism over the implementation of the July Charter within the next 10 days as its extended tenure will expire on October 15.

The Election Commission (EC) will start electoral dialogue with different stakeholders, including political parties and civil society members on September 28 (Sunday) ahead of the national election, said its Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Tuesday. “The dialogue will begin on Sunday (Sept 28). The talks will first be held with civil society representatives and teachers,” he told reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. In the electoral roadmap unveiled last month, the EC said the dialogue with stakeholders, including political parties, civil society members, media persons, observers, election experts and July worriers, would begin in the last week of September and complete the talks within the next one and a half months.  BNP yet to approve candidates for national election: Rizvi Turning to the amendment to electoral laws, the EC Secretary said the proposed electoral code of conduct and the rules related to electoral symbols have already been vetted and sent back to the Election Commission.  He said the ‘Shapla’ (water lily) symbol is not included in the revised list of electoral symbols. So, the National Citizen Party (NCP) must submit a fresh application to the Commission for an alternative symbol.  “As the ‘Shapla’ symbol is not in the revised list of symbols, NCP cannot get it. They have been asked to apply for an alternative symbol, but the choice must be made from the symbols that are already approved by the Commission,” Akhtar added.

Political parties on Sunday reached a consensus over two reform proposals – one for not allowing anyone to serve as the Prime Minister for more than 10 years in life and another is for forming an independent police commission to ensure professionalism and accountability in the police force. “We had reached a consensus on one matter but didn’t announce it before. It’s that the Prime Minister will not be allowed to serve more than 10 years in total,” said Prof Ali Riaz, Vice Chair of the National Consensus Commission (NCC), during the 19th session of the second-round reform dialogue with the political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. He said the Commission will include this – maximum tenure of a Prime Minister is 10 years – in the National Charter. Prof Riaz then asked, “Are we all agreed on this? Earlier, Mr Salahuddin Ahmed had placed a condition on this—does that still remain?” In response, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed clarified his party’s position, saying, “We earlier proposed that no one shall remain in the post of Prime Minister for more than 10 years. I had mentioned that if there is no provision for appointments to the constitutional and statutory bodies through a committee, we won’t agree to this.” Unresolved reform issues must be decided within 10 days: Ali Riaz "The forum has now agreed to include such a provision in the Constitution for the Election Commission. If similar committees are discussed for appointing other bodies, the same conditions will apply,” he said, adding, “We hope you can consider it. You may announce the 10-year limit. In fact, this was our proposal.” Earlier in the day, the NCC proposed the formation of an independent police commission aimed at ensuring professionalism and accountability in the Bangladesh Police. Following discussion, the participating political parties agreed in principle to the formation of such a commission, though they will continue to deliberate on its structure. Speaking about the matter, Prof Ali Riaz said, “We are in consensus on the formation of a police commission. We’ll continue discussions on its formation process. Bangladesh’s political parties have agreed in talks to establish an independent police commission that will ensure accountability, responsibility, and a people-friendly police service.” During the placement of the proposal, Prof Riaz said the issue of forming a police commission was not among the original 166 reform proposals sent to political parties for opinion. “We are not including this issue to waste time,” he said, adding that both political parties and citizens have consistently questioned why the formation of a police commission is not being discussed during the dialogues. In light of the police’s role during the 2024 July–August uprising and over the past 16 years, this demand for a police commission is legitimate. That’s why, following both formal and informal consultations, the proposal has been brought to the table, he said. Referendum needed for future changes to caretaker system in constitution: Ali Riaz This commission will be mandated to address complaints raised by both police personnel and citizens. A retired police official who served at least as additional IGP will be its member secretary. The seven other members will be one representative each of the Leader of the House, the Leader of Opposition, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, a listed lawyer of the High Court, a human rights activist and a retired police official who served at least as additional IGP. Of them, only the chairman and the member secretary will be permanent members, while the rest seven members will not receive any salary. Some 30 political parties, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP), are participating in the second-round dialogue. The NCC aims to finalise a unified position on approximately 20 core reform proposals by July 31 through consensus-building with political parties. The second round of talks began on June 2, inaugurated by Chief Adviser and Commission Chairman Prof Muhammad Yunus. The Commission, formed on February 15, 2025 under Prof Yunus’ leadership, was entrusted with building national consensus on key state reforms. It previously held first-round talks with political parties and alliances between March 20 and May 19.

As he sees the signs of various conspiracies, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday urged political parties to make their unity against fascism more visible and stronger in a bid to foil the conspiracies of the defeated forces. “Despite differences and competition, the unity of political parties against fascism needs to be made more visible. Otherwise, the fascist forces may see this as an opportunity,” he said. The Chief Adviser made the remarks during a meeting with 13 political parties at the state guest house Jamuna. He said the interim government made arrangements for bringing all political parties together to remember the past in one year of the July Uprising. “By doing so, the unity among us against fascism would have become more visible. But even before a full year has passed, signs of various conspiracies by the defeated forces have already begun appearing,” the Chief Adviser told the political leaders. All the political parties participating in the meeting expressed support for maintaining political and mass unity against fascism. They urged the Chief Adviser to be stricter and take a stronger stance in controlling law and order, extended full support for the reform process, the trial of fascists and the upcoming election process. CA Dr Yunus holding meeting with 13 political parties With the election in mind, they also requested the Chief Adviser to hold more all-party meetings regularly with political parties to stand against fascism. A day after meeting leaders of four major political parties, Chief Adviser Professor Yunus met leaders from 13 other political parties on Wednesday afternoon. Syed Hasibuddin Hossain from the Rashtra Sangskar Andolon, Zonayed Saki from Ganosamhati Andolon, Mujibur Rahman Manju from AB Party, Shahidullah Kaisar from Nagorik Oikya, Nurul Haque Nur from Gono Odhikar Parishad, Redwan Ahmed from LDP, Dr Ahmad Abdul Kader from Khelafat Majlis, Saiful Haque from the Biplobi Workers Party, Tania Rabb from JSD, Shahadat Hossain Selim from the 12-Party Alliance, Bazlur Rashid Firoz from Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BASAD), Ruhin Hossain Prince from CPB and Dr Mizanur Rahman from Gono Forum attended the meeting. Earlier, on Tuesday night, the Chief Adviser had a meeting with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdullah Mohammad Taher and Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh Presidium Member Prof Ashraf Ali Akon and Joint Secretary General Gazi Ataur Rahman. Prof Yunus designates a site in Uttara for aircraft crash victims' burial The leaders of the four parties urged the government to play a more proactive role in maintaining law and order, and stressed the need for ensuring a smooth path towards the upcoming national election, expected to be held in early 2026. During the meeting, the political leaders reaffirmed to remain united in their fight against fascism.

Political parties on Wednesday reached a consensus to incorporate a provision in the Constitution for forming a selection committee to nominate the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners during the reconstitution of the Election Commission. The agreement came during the 18th day of the second-round dialogue between the National Consensus Commission and the political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Wednesday. “Political parties and alliances have reached a consensus to include a provision in the constitution to form a specific committee for nominations to the Election Commission. The Jatiya Sangsad Speaker will lead this selection committee,” said NCC Vice Chair Prof Ali Riaz while briefing reporters after the day’s session. He said there has been agreement to amend several sub-sections of Article-118 of the Constitution. According to the agreed proposal, there will be an election commission consisting of the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners (number to be determined by law). A five-member selection committee headed by the Speaker will be formed for nominations to the Election Commission.  Other members of the selection committee are the Prime Minister, the Opposition Leader, Deputy Speaker (from the opposition party) and a judge of the Appellate Division to be nominated by the Chief Justice. The selection committee shall start searching names for the EC’s reconstitution 90 days before the expiry of the current commission.  The qualification and disqualification for CEC and other commissioners as well as the searching procedure will be determined by a law. NCC begins reform talks with political parties Based on a consensus, the committee shall recommend one name each for the posts of the CEC and commissioners to the President who will then make the formal appointments for a five-year term. The office of Speaker shall provide secretariat assistance to the committee. On Wednesday, the appointment process of some important constitutional and statutory institutions – Election Commission (EC), Public Service Commission (PSC), Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), and the Office of the Ombudsman—were discussed. “Today (Wednesday), the discussion over the Election Commission completed,” said Prof Riaz.  “Different political parties have shown significant flexibility from their earlier positions to reach this consensus today. This will pave the way for establishing an independent and effective Election Commission,” he said, extending sincere thanks to all the political parties for their responsible stance. Describing Wednesday’s discussions as highly fruitful, the NCC vice chair expressed optimism that the National Charter could be finalised by the end of this July.  “We will continue our efforts and are optimistic that we will soon reach a complete national charter (reform charter) based on political consensus,” said Prof Riaz.

Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin on Tuesday assured the political parties that the government would not take any decision that might be conflicting with national interests. "We will certainly not take any decision that might be conflicting with the national interests," he said while exchanging views with the leaders of some political parties on the investment climate.  Top global port operators tapped to boost Bangladesh’s infrastructure: BIDA chief The political parties at the meeting called for giving top priority to protecting the country's sovereignty, regional security and national interests. 'We want to assure you that no decision will be taken outside the national interest.” He expressed the hope that such positive discussions with political parties will continue on a regular basis. Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) organised the event at its office seeking suggestions from the country's political parties on policy continuity, ongoing reform activities and its recent progress to ensure a sustainable investment environment in Bangladesh.  BIDA: Port connectivity must to make Bangladesh a ‘regional production powerhouse’ Representatives from 16 political parties -- Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Nagorik Party, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), Gana Songhati Andolan, Gana Odhikar Parishad, Amar Bangladesh Party, Nagorik Oikya, Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesh Communist Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Islami Front, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal, Islamic Front Bangladesh -- participated in the meeting, according to the Chief Adviser's press wing. Ashik Chowdhury said investment and employment are the national interests of Bangladesh and it is above party or political interests. Noting that Bida is continuously working to create a congenial environment for investment in Bangladesh, he said there are various crises in the field of investment in our country. Bida Head of Business Development Nahian Rahman Rachi gave a presentation on Bida’s activities at the meeting. He briefly discussed the Reform Plan and Progress Report and the response to the Investment Conference and the next steps. He said based on discussions with more than 200 local investors and stakeholders, Bida has identified five problems for investment in Bangladesh. These are Quality of Government Services, Policy Continuity, Industry Consultation, Eliminating Corruption and Access to Resources. The political parties were informed about the steps Bida has already taken to resolve these problems and what steps it plans to take in the long term and their opinions were sought. They praised the Bida reform plan and progress and expressed their full support for Bida's activities in creating an investment environment in the country. The political parties urged the Bida authorities to give special importance to domestic investors as well as foreign investors. Besides, the political parties suggested that the Bida authorities discuss with the relevant ministries and departments to develop skilled workers in the country, develop infrastructure, remove legal complications, protect the interests of workers and make environmentally friendly investments. The Bida Executive Chairman said in their next presentation, the reform plan will be presented separately on local investors.  No more bureaucratic hassles for foreign investment: BIDA

National Consensus Commission Vice Chairman Prof Ali Riaz on Sunday urged political parties to encourage their like-minded allies to work towards a consensus over reforms by bridging differences at least on fundamental issues. “As political forces, we have the hope, belief and trust in you that you will talk to others, inspire your friendly political forces to narrow down the differences, and come to a common ground through which we can reach an agreement,” he said. Prof Riaz made the remarks in his introductory speech at the dialogue between the 12-party alliance and the National Consensus Commission. Political parties to compromise for state reforms, hopes Ali Riaz The talks, chaired by Prof Riaz, began at 10:05am at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex. An 11-member delegation from the alliance took part in the dialogue, led by Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) Chairman Mostafa Jamal Haider and Bangladesh LDP leader Shahadat Hossain Salim. “We don’t believe that sitting at this table alone will lead us to the final destination of national consensus. Our role is that of a catalyst, and we are making that effort,” said Prof Riaz. He said each political party has placed its opinion over reform proposals but all must compromise to some extent to reach consensus. “We all have to come together. We may not agree on everything, but we must reach common ground on fundamental state-building issues to move Bangladesh forward,” he added. Citing that building national consensus is not solely the commission’s responsibility, Prof Riaz said, “You who are engaged in the struggle and are in dialogues with us today should talk to your allies and other political forces to explore how we can come together.” Reform Process: Prof Yunus gives directives towards next steps  Consensus Commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar and Dr Mohammad Ayub Miah were present at the discussion, moderated by Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider. On March 20 last, the Consensus Commission opened a series of talks with political parties to forge a national consensus on state reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. The commission has already held talks with 23 political parties, including BNP and Jamaat-e Islami and National Citizen Party (NCP).