State reform a shared goal of Consensus Commission and political parties: Ali Riaz
The commission’s vice-chairman has acknowledged there are differences in approach but said these could be resolved through dialogue
National Consensus Commission shares a common objective with political parties — state reform and the creation of a National Charter, says the commission's Vice-Chairman Prof Ali Riaz.
"While discussing with political parties, even though we sit on opposite sides of the table, we are not two sides. We are on the same side, our goal is one. We are all trying to find a specific path for state reform and create a national charter," he said.
He made the remarks during a meeting between the commission and the Nationalist Democratic Movement (Bangladesh) at the LD Hall of the Parliament Building in Dhaka today (15 April), according to a press release.
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Riaz acknowledged there are differences in approach but said these could be resolved through dialogue.
"There are slight differences in our paths. These differences of opinion can be removed through discussion. Through the unity with which we have been able to defeat a fascist regime, we will be able to continue and further strengthen that unity," he added.
He also stated that the National Charter aims to reflect the people's aspirations for state reform.
Commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Iftikharuzzaman, and Monir Haider, special assistant to the chief adviser, were present during the discussion.
An eight-member delegation from the NDM-Bangladesh, led by party founder and Chairman Bobby Hajjaj, took part in the talks.
Other members included Secretary General Mominul Amin, Vice-Chairman Faruque Uz Zaman Chowdhury, Joint Secretary General Syed Jahangir Alam, and Organising Secretary Barrister Sahidul Azam.
According to the commission, key recommendations from the Constitution Reform Commission, Public Administration Reform Commission, Election System Reform Commission, Judiciary Reform Commission, and Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission were compiled in a spreadsheet and sent to 39 political parties for their feedback.
So far, 34 parties have responded, and the commission has held discussions with nine of them. Talks with BNP are scheduled for 17 April.
