Consensus Commission begins 2nd round talks with political parties

The second round dialogue of the National Consensus Commission with political parties began today (2 June).

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus inaugurated the dialogue at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital's Baily Road.

Speaking to reporters, CA's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said, "At the beginning of the talks, the chief adviser gave a four-minute speech. He thanked the political parties for completing the first phase of the discussions. He officially inaugurated the second phase of the discussions.

"Separate discussions with the political parties will start this week."

Today's inaugural meeting started at 4:48pm and ended at 6:45pm.

Earlier, delegations from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), AB Party and others started arriving at the venue from around 4pm. The chief adviser entered the venue at 4:47pm, our correspondent reported from the spot.

Thirty political parties were invited for the dialogue today. The parties and their delegations are: 

1. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP): Lt Gen Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy – Presidium Member, Neyamul Bashir – Presidium Member

2. Khelafat Majlish: Ahmad Abdul Qader – Secretary General

3. Rashtra Sanskar Andolon: Hasnat Kaiyum – Chief Coordinator

4. Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party): Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad – Secretary General, Barrister Sani Abdul Haque – Joint Secretary General

5. Nagorik Oikya: Sakib Anwar – Organizational Leader, Ferdousi Akhter Sumi – Central Member

6. Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad): Mushtaq Hossain – Standing Committee Member

7. Jatiyotabadi Gonotantrik Andolon (NDM - Nationalist Democratic Movement): Mominul Amin – Secretary General

8. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP): Salauddin Ahmed – Standing Committee Member, Ismail Jabiullah – Advisor to BNP Chairperson, Ruhul Quddus Kajol – Executive Committee Member

9. National Citizen Party (NCP): Nahid Islam – Convener, Akhtar Hossain – Member Secretary, Sarwar Tushar – Joint Convener

10. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish: Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad – Secretary General

11. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami: Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher – Naib-e-Ameer (Deputy Leader), Rafiqul Islam Khan – Assistant Secretary General, Hamidur Rahman Azad – Assistant Secretary General

12. Gonoshonghoti Andolon: Zonayed Saki – Chief Coordinator, Abul Hasan Rubel – Executive Coordinator

13. Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD): Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan – Secretary General

14. Gono Odhikar Parishad: Md Nurul Haque Nur – President

15. Biplobi Workers Party of Bangladesh: Saiful Haque – Secretary General

16. Jatiyotabadi Sommonoy Jote: Fariduzzaman Farhad – Chairman of NPP & Coordinator, Lutfur Rahman – President of JAGPA

17. 12-Party Alliance: Mostafa Jamal Haider – Leader, Shahadat Hossain Selim – Spokesperson

18. Islami Andolon Bangladesh: Gazi Ataur Rahman – Senior Joint Secretary General, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Maruf – Central Secretary for Publicity and Dawah

19. Gonoforum: Md Mizanur Rahman – Secretary General

20. Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB): Sajjad Zahir Chandan – Presidium Member, Sajedul Haque Rubel – Central Committee Secretary

21. Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Basad): Bazlur Rashid Firoz – Secretary General

22. Zaker Party: Shamim Haider – Secretary General

23. National People's Front: Aminul Haque Bishwas – Coordinator

24. Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist): Masud Rana – Coordinator

25. Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party: Maulana Musa Bin Izhar – Secretary General

26. Bangladesh Labour Party: Mustafizur Rahman Iran – Chairman

27. Aam Janatar Dol: Miah Mashiuzzaman – President

28. Bhashani Onushari Parishad / Bhashani Janashakti Party: Rafiqul Islam Babul – Convener

29. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh: Manjurul Islam Afendi – Secretary General

30. Islami Oikya Jote: Sakhawat Hossain Raji – Secretary General

The first round of talks, held between 15 February and 19 May, involved meetings with 33 political parties.

The National Consensus Commission aims to reach a national consensus by mid-July to prepare a national charter to reform the state structures.