United News of Bangladesh

National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Ali Riaz on Saturday said a national consensus could be achieved quickly through dialogue involving all political parties. "There are disagreements and differences of opinion among political parties, but many share common views. All voices will be heard, and I hope we can reach a national consensus through dialogue," he said during a meeting with the Khelafat Majlish at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad in the morning. Ali Riaz said, "As part of this process, you (Khelafat Majlish) are participating. We have begun our work within a short time and could not allocate much time. However, based on the sincere opinions you have shared, we will proceed with our discussions." Consensus Commission to hold meetings with 4 political parties before Eid: Ali Riaz He said the dialogue would not be limited to their party alone as it would also include other political parties. The National Consensus Commission opened its dialogues with political parties, starting with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Thursday, aiming to build a national consensus on the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. The commission identified the crucial recommendations made in the reports of five reform commissions – the constitution reform commission, the public administration reform commission, the electoral system reform commission, the judiciary reform commission and the ACC reform commission – to seek opinions from the political parties. Consensus on reforms expected on time:Ali Riaz Later, the commission sent a set of recommendations in a spreadsheet format to 38 political parties asking them to send their specific opinions on the important reform recommendations by March 13.

National Consensus Commission Vice President Prof Dr Ali Riaz on Thursday expressed optimism that the commission will hold meetings with at least four political parties before the Eid-ul-Fitr. “We are in contact with different political parties and discussions are underway. Before Eid, we aim to hold talks with at least four political parties,” he said at Sangsad Bhaban after receiving opinions from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on the reform proposal. A delegation from the Jamaat, led by its Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, submitted their opinions to the commission. Ali Riaz said they have started dialogue with political parties today (Thursday) and sought opinions from the parties, with some still submitting opinions. Consensus Commission’s dialogue with political parties to begin Thursday Responding to a question, he said there is no pressure on them as Chief Adviser Dr Yunus heads the commission. “So, the question of external pressure does not arise.” Political parties are, of course, free to express their positions, but as a commission, their responsibility is to present the recommendations of the reform committees and discuss them with the political parties, he said. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is scheduled to participate in the first round of discussions at 3pm at LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

The National Consensus Commission is set to begin its dialogues with political parties, starting with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on Thursday, aiming to build a national consensus on the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. The meeting with the LDP is scheduled for 3:00 pm on Thursday, according to a press release. The commission will later announce the schedule for talks with other political parties in phases. Meanwhile, two more political parties – Jatiya Ganofront and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) – submitted their views on the reform recommendations to the National Consensus Commission on Tuesday. With the two parties, a total of 15 political parties have so far submitted their opinions, but major political parties, including BNP and Jamaat, are yet to send theirs. Political parties, National Consensus Commission to set Bangladesh's vision: Press Secretary The 15 parties are Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Khelafat Majlish, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, Zaker Party, Bhasani Onusari Parishad, Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM), Amjanatar Dal, Rashtra Sanskar Andolon, Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Bangladesh Jasad, Bangladesh Labour Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), Nagorik Oikya, Jatiya Ganofront and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD). Besides, 14 more political parties sought a few more days to place their complete opinions. The Consensus Commission is again contacting the remaining nine parties. The commission, spearheaded by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, started its work on February 15, 2025. The commission identified the crucial recommendations made in the reports of five reform commissions – the constitution reform commission, the public administration reform commission, the electoral system reform commission, the judiciary reform commission and the ACC reform commission – to seek opinions from the political parties. BNP, Jamaat, others start meeting with National Consensus Commission Later, the commission sent a set of recommendations in a spreadsheet format to 38 political parties asking them to send their specific opinions on the important reform recommendations by March 13

Thirteen political parties have so far submitted their opinions over the reform recommendations to the National Consensus Commission, but major political parties, including BNP and Jamaat, are yet to send theirs. The consensus commission on Monday disclosed the names of the 13 political parties. The 13 parties are Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Khelafat Majlish, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, Zaker Party, Bhasani Onusari Parishad, Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM), Amjanatar Dal, Rashtra Sanskar Andolon, Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Bangladesh Jasad, Bangladesh Labour Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) and Nagorik Oikya. Among them, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) and Nagorik Oikya submitted their opinions on Monday, said a press release. Reforms to make Bangladesh one of the perfect democracies in world, says Guterres before departing Dhaka Besides, 16 more political parties sought a few more days to place their complete opinions. The Consensus Commission is again contacting the remaining nine parties. The commission, spearheaded by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, started its work on February 15, 2025. The commission identified the crucial recommendations made in the reports of five reform commissions – the constitution reform commission, the public administration reform commission, the electoral system reform commission, the judiciary reform commission and the ACC reform commission – to seek opinions from the political parties. Reforms won't work without change in political culture: Amir Khasru Later, the commission sent a set of recommendations in a spreadsheet format to 38 political parties asking them to send their specific opinions on the important reform recommendations by March 13.

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman does not tell anything without apprehending it clearly, said Labour and Employment Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain. Responding to a question from reporters about the army’s chief speech on several issues in Dhaka, including heated-speech among political parties, the adviser delivered the statement while briefing the media on the Advisory Council Committee on Labour and Business Situation Review of Industries at Beximco Industrial Park. On Tuesday, the army chief said, "At the end of the day, we must prioritise the country and the nation instead of engaging in conflicts. If you resort to mudslinging among yourselves, the independence and sovereignty of the country and the nation will be at stake. I am issuing a warning—you cannot say later that I did not caution you. “ Waker delivered the statement at an event at Raowa Club in the capital, marking the National Army Martyrs Day. Want to return to cantonment making Bangladesh stable: Army Chief  When attention was drawn about the army chief’s remark, the adviser said, “The army chief is a very high-profile person for me. He's leading a battalion and didn't say anything without understanding. You know the rest of the interpretation. As far as I know him, he is a very straight forward man ... .I have a lot of respect for him. I can't explain what he said or didn't say." Asked if the army chief could address the chief adviser the way he did, Sakhawat replied to the reporters, "You ask him.

The government has sought the opinions from political parties and stakeholders over the July Declaration.The government sought the opinions about the July Declaration following an all-party dialogue with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus held on Thursday, said Chief Adviser’s press wing on Saturday.They can send their opinions through letters to Adviser Mahfuj Alam, Chief Adviser’s Office, until January 23. All parties reach consensus on inclusive ‘July Declaration’: Asif NazrulThese opinions will be reviewed to prepare a revised and acceptable declaration which will be announced without delay in presence of public.All-party meeting on July Declaration begins

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday said the Election Commission wants to end the people's deprivation in exercising their voting rights. “We want to remove the fact that they(people) have been deprived of the voting right for so long. We want to remove the pain of their deprivation. We are steadfast in our commitment,” he said. The CEC said this while addressing the inaugural ceremony of a training of trainers for the enumerators and supervisors in the capital ahead of the voter list updating programme-2025. The countrywide door-to-door data collection of the possible voters and dead voters will start on January 20 next. The CEC said they are here to hear the 18 crore people who have been suffering from the deprivation of voting rights. “We’ve taken the responsibility so that we can remove their deprivation,” he said. Read: “We aim to deliver a truly credible election”: CEC He said his commission’s main goal is to arrange a fair and credible election. “It’s a marathon race beginning from today up to the delivery of the result,” he said. “Our goal, commitment and promises to the nation is to present a free, fair and credible election as the nation has been deprived of it for so long,” said the CEC. Four election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Sarker and Abdul Fazal Md Sanaullah also spoke at the event presided over by EC secretary Akhtar Ahmed.

Expressing his annoyance at the criticism of political parties by the interim government, Senior BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Thursday said that the advisers of the current administration were not even worthy of being considered as opponents to the politicians. "Why should they (advisers) criticise established political parties and make comments about them? Do they regard the political parties as their opponents? We do not consider them as our opponents, as they are not worthy of being our opponents. We engage in politics, but they do not. So, why should they be our opponents?" he told a discussion. The Rajshahi University Nationalist Ex-Student Association (RUNESA) organised the programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), commemorating the bloody incident that took place on Rajshahi University campus on December 22, 1984. Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said the current government was not usurped power, as it was established by the people of the country and the political parties that waged a movement against the Sheikh Hasina regime. “We expect that they’ll try to resolve the problems people are facing in their daily lives, put on trial those involved in various crimes, including killings and enforced disappearances, and arrange for an election after creating the necessary conditions for the restoration of democracy, for which we have long been struggling,” he said. The BNP leader lamented that some advisers of the interim government are unnecessarily speaking against political parties. “We will participate in the election. Whether they will join the election to stand against us. They won’t do that. So, why should they make such comments?” he said. He also slammed Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan for her remark that politicians had done nothing for the country over the past 53 years. Read: Interim govt weakest in history, election needed by 2025: BNP leader Nazrul said their party founder, Ziaur Rahman, inherited a famine-stricken country but transformed its economy through various initiatives, including increasing food production, establishing the garment sector, and promoting the export of fish from the sea. “Are these not significant achievements?” He urged the advisers to question the contributions of politicians only after making any significant achievements for the country, as Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia had done.

Political parties across the spectrum reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty during a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Yunus on Wednesday. “We may have political differences over elections, reform and other issues, but we all are united on the question of national independence and sovereignty,” Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna told reporters after the meeting. Entire world needs to know Bangladesh united: Dr Yunus The meeting was held at the Foreign Service Academy with the participation of representatives from various political parties including BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus delivered the opening remarks at the event that began at 4:00pm. Manna said they told the meeting that Bangladesh wants to stay independent with dignity, maintaining friendly relations with other countries, not bowing down to anyone. He said they also asked the interim government to review all the agreements signed with India and cancel the agreements that go against the national interest of Bangladesh. Junaid Saki, the chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, said they, the political parties in the meeting, reached a consensus to develop a national unity on the question of the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh. Tarique urges leaders, activists to avoid controversial activities “We told (govt) that all the people of Bangladesh – political parties, students and people from all classes and professions—will fight united to protect the existence, independence and sovereignty of this country,” he said. Noting that a fight of misinformation continues against Bangladesh from India and other places, Saki said, “We’ve told the government that we’ll have to fight misinformation with true information.” Saiful Islam, Ganatantra Mancha coordinator Saiful Huq, said India has remained seriously active against the interim government, the people of this country and the mass uprising since the fall of the fascists. They (India) are trying to create a communal tension between the Hindu and Muslim, he said. “We today said in this meeting that we, all political parties in Bangladesh, are beside the interim government and expressed unity over the question of our independence, sovereignty and national interest,” he said.   National Unity: CA’s talks with political parties underway Saiful Huq said they assured that the people of Bangladesh have today built a fresh unity over non-communal politics and cultures against communalism.  “The people of Bangladesh won’t step in any type of provocation,” he said. He said they asked the government to give a clear message that if India wants to destabilise Bangladesh and play with the security of Bangladesh, the security of India will also fall in risk. “We want to keep the friendly relationship with India and we want to resolve all disputes with India fairly based on just, equity and equal partnership,” he said.   “We, the people of Bangladesh won’t step in any provocation and will protect the national unity at any cost. Today the people of Bangladesh are united on the question of the national interest. And this unity can no way be weakened,” said Saiful Huq. Advisers Adilur Rahman Khan and Mahfuj Alam; BNP leaders Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Syed Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and AZM Zahid Hossain; Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman; and Gono Odhikar Parishad leader Nurul Haque Nur and Rashed Khan, among others, present in the meeting. Global problem-solving must rely on cooperation, not conflict: Prof Yunus The CA’s meeting with religious leaders will be held on Thursday, but the time has not been decided yet. CA's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said Prof Yunus held a meeting with student leaders on Tuesday evening. “Prof Yunus called the students to help rebuild the nation,” Alam told UNB after the meeting.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will hold talks separately with different stakeholders including political parties and student leaders as he seeks national unity. Briefing the media on Tuesday evening, Chief adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said there is a possibility of a meeting with political parties at the Foreign Service Academy at 4pm on Wednesday. The meeting with religious leaders will be held on Thursday, but the time has not been decided yet, he said. Read: BNP urges Chief Adviser to foster national unity to resolve issues The Press Secretary said the Chief adviser will call for national unity at the meetings. Prof Yunus held a meeting with student leaders on Tuesday evening. CA’s Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present at the media briefing.