Reforms: Consensus Commission opens dialogue with political parties, starting with LDP

The National Consensus Commission opened its dialogues with political parties today (20 March), starting with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), aiming to build a national consensus on the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government.

The meeting with the LDP began with the commission's Vice Chairman Prof Ali Riaz in the chair at the LD Hall of the parliament complex at 3pm.

An eight-member delegation, led by LDP President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, is in the meeting.

The commission will also sit with other political parties in phases.

A total of 16 political parties have so far submitted their opinions regarding the government's reform initiatives.

The 16 parties are Bangladesh Jamaat-e Islami, LDP, Khelafat Majlish, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), Nagorik Oikya, Jatiya Ganofront, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, 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, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish.

Besides, 14 political parties sought a few more days to place their complete opinions. The Consensus Commission is again contacting the remaining nine parties.

The commission, headed by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, started its work on 15 February 2025.

The commission identified the crucial recommendations made in the reports of five reform commissions on constitution, public administration, electoral system, judiciary, and the Anti-Corruption Commission to seek opinions from the political parties.

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 13 March.