Consensus Commission dialogue: NCP calls for radical state reform to avert future autocracy

National Citizen Party (NCP) has demanded radical change in the state structure through reforms to fulfil the aspirations of the July mass uprising and ensure no fascism and autocratic tendency among future governments.

"By reform, we mean fundamental reform and the reforms which will bring a radical change and a qualitative change in the structure of the state," said NCP Convener Nahid Islam.

He made the remarks at his opening speech at the talks with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the National Parliament Complex.

An eight-member NCP delegation led by Convener Nahid Islam attended the talks, which began at around 11am with the commission's Vice Chairman Prof Ali Riaz in the chair.

The meeting is part of an ongoing series of discussions with political parties on the interim government's state reform initiatives.

Nahid said different state institutions, including the Constitution, were politicised in the past. The seed of one person-centric structure was sown in the Constitution, he said.

"As a result, no matter who comes to power, no matter who is given the responsibility of running the state, if the state structure is kept unchanged, there will be a tendency among them to become fascist and autocratic," he said.

Earlier, talking to reporters before the meeting started, Nahid said, "The July Uprising was not about changing any individual, but rather about the aspiration for a qualitative change in the structure of the state.

"By reform, we mean such fundamental reforms through which a qualitative change in the state will be possible."

Regarding the commission's reform proposals, he said, "We have agreed in most cases. We have given notes where there are partial or different opinions. We must hold onto the commitment that has been created before the nation this time, so that fascism cannot return."

Ali Riaz said, "To build a new Bangladesh according to the nation's aspirations, democratic institutions must be given permanent form. Then, fascism will not be able to return."

Other NCP leaders attending the meeting include Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Chief Organiser Nasiruddin Patwari, Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah, Senior Joint Convener Samanta Sharmin, and Joint Convener and Head of the Coordination Committee Sarwar Tushar.

The NCP had earlier submitted written feedback on the commission's reform proposals on 24 March. Out of 166 recommendations, the party fully agreed with 113 and partially agreed with 29.

The Consensus Commission, formed on 15 February under the leadership of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, aims to finalise a unified position on state reform.

In the initial phase, the key recommendations from five reform commissions — constitutional, public administration, electoral, judiciary, and anti-corruption — were compiled and shared with 39 political parties for their feedback.

On 20 March, the commission opened its dialogues with political parties with the aim of building a national consensus on the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government.

The Consensus Commission has so far held discussions with 12 political parties and received feedback from 34 out of 39 invited parties.

The commission plans to complete the first round of talks with all parties by the first week of May and begin the second round in the following week. It aims to build national consensus on the reform proposals by mid-July.