BNP, NCP exchange got heated during Monday's meeting with CA Yunus | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Monday
June 16, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2025
BNP, NCP exchange got heated during Monday's meeting with CA Yunus

Politics

TBS Report
03 June, 2025, 02:30 pm
Last modified: 03 June, 2025, 08:01 pm

Related News

  • BNP gears up for polls — preps ongoing from grassroots to top brass 
  • Consensus Commission's 2nd round of talks with political parties resume on 17 June
  • BNP affiliate leaders led protest blocking advisers’ convoy in Sylhet, Jubo Dal leader expelled
  • Situation feels quite reassuring, says Rizwana regarding Yunus-Tarique meeting
  • Only those who participated in movements in last 16 years will lead BNP: Ctg mayor

BNP, NCP exchange got heated during Monday's meeting with CA Yunus

Although the meeting was primarily meant to prioritise discussions on the reform proposals by the Consensus Commission, most of the discussion centred around whether the 13th national election would be held in December this year or next year

TBS Report
03 June, 2025, 02:30 pm
Last modified: 03 June, 2025, 08:01 pm
From left, National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed talking to reporters in Dhaka on Monday, 2 June 2025. Photos: TBS
From left, National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed talking to reporters in Dhaka on Monday, 2 June 2025. Photos: TBS

Leaders of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and National Citizen Party (NCP) exchanged heated verbal arguments during a meeting with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus-led National Consensus Commission yesterday (2 June).

Although the meeting was primarily meant to prioritise discussions on the reform proposals by the Consensus Commission, most of the discussion centred around whether the 13th national election would be held in December this year or next year.

The meeting, held at the Foreign Service Academy, marked the beginning of the second round of talks between political parties and the Consensus Commission. It was attended by a three-member BNP delegation, led by Salahuddin Ahmed, and another three-member NCP delegation led by its Convener Nahid Islam.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

At the beginning of the meeting, the chief adviser greeted all political parties and thanked them for pushing forward the discussions with the commission. After delivering a brief speech lasting about four minutes, he and the commission members listened to the statements from the political parties.

Speaking on behalf of the BNP, Salahuddin clearly stated, "BNP is not willing to allow even a single day beyond 31 December for holding the election."

Consensus Commission delayed enough, election possible by December: BNP's Salahuddin

He argued that apart from constitutional reform, other necessary reforms could be implemented within a month.

Later, Nahid said, "Some parties, aligning with India, want elections to be held within December. There is no difference between their statements and the statements by India. They are echoing India's position on the elections."

In response to this, Salahuddin became agitated and said, "If wanting elections within December means aligning with India's tone, then those who want to delay the elections must also be speaking in line with the US or UK."

At least six people who attended the meeting confirmed to The Business Standard that the exchange then led to a heated argument between the delegations of the two parties.

Wishing to be anonymous, a senior leader of a political party told TBS, "Although the discussion was supposed to emphasise reforms, arguments happened over the timing of the election. A debate occurred between BNP and NCP regarding whether the election should take place within December." 

Election date shouldn't be announced before July Declaration, says Nahid after Consensus Commission meeting

"Some smaller parties joined the discussions only to echo the BNP's stance. They had no independent opinion of their own. Instead of focusing on what is best for the country, they appear more concerned about the timing of the election," the leader said.

Another political party leader told TBS, "Although the focus was meant to be on reforms and judicial matters, the discussion mostly revolved around the election timeline. If BNP, being such a major party, remains rigid about holding the election within December, that is not ideal.

"If reforms require time until June, what's the harm in allowing the government that time? This led to the debate between BNP and NCP during the meeting."

After the meeting, Salahuddin told reporters, "We believe it is possible to hold the national election within December. We should urgently identify the reforms necessary to ensure an election, especially the election-focused ones, and implement them through consensus."

"There is no reform that cannot be implemented within a month. Apart from constitutional amendments, all other reforms that have consensus support can be executed through executive orders within a month," he said.

He added, "There is no valid reason for the election to be held after December. We have been able to convey that point and have once again proposed this approach."

Following the meeting, Nahid told reporters, "It is not right to announce the election date before the implementation of the July Charter. If the election date is announced before that, it could hinder the reform process."

"We have called on everyone to wait — we've waited 16 years, then another 10 months, so we are willing to wait another two months and give the government time to act collectively with all political parties," he said.

Nahid further said, "For a fair election, it is crucial to reform the electoral system. We have demanded the restructuring of the Election Commission and amendments to the election-related laws."
 

Bangladesh / Top News

BNP / National Citizen Party (NCP) / BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed / National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam / National Consensus Commission / Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Infograph: TBS
    Ship congestion at Ctg port lingers as berthing time rises
  • BNP gears up for polls — preps ongoing from grassroots to top brass 
    BNP gears up for polls — preps ongoing from grassroots to top brass 
  • Non-performing loans surge by Tk74,570cr in Q1 as hidden rot exposed
    Non-performing loans surge by Tk74,570cr in Q1 as hidden rot exposed

MOST VIEWED

  • Vehicles were seen stuck on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway due to a traffic jam stretching 15 kilometres on 14 June 2025. Photo: TBS
    15km traffic jam on Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway as post-Eid rush continues
  • Tour operator Borsha Islam. Photo: Collected
    ‘Tour Expert’ admin Borsha Islam arrested over Bandarban tourist deaths
  • Infographic: TBS
    Chattogram Port proposes 70%-100% tariff hike
  • Fighter jet. Photo: AFP
    3 F-35 fighter jets downed, two Israeli pilots in custody, claims Iranian media
  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Merger of 5 Islamic banks at final stage: BB governor
  • Infograph: TBS
    Why 10 economic zones, including BGMEA's garment park, were cancelled

Related News

  • BNP gears up for polls — preps ongoing from grassroots to top brass 
  • Consensus Commission's 2nd round of talks with political parties resume on 17 June
  • BNP affiliate leaders led protest blocking advisers’ convoy in Sylhet, Jubo Dal leader expelled
  • Situation feels quite reassuring, says Rizwana regarding Yunus-Tarique meeting
  • Only those who participated in movements in last 16 years will lead BNP: Ctg mayor

Features

Renowned authors Imdadul Haque Milon, Mohit Kamal, and poet–children’s writer Rashed Rouf seen at Current Book Centre, alongside the store's proprietor, Shahin. Photo: Collected

From ‘Screen and Culture’ to ‘Current Book House’: Chattogram’s oldest surviving bookstore

13h | Panorama
Photos: Collected

Kurtis that make a great office wear

2d | Mode
Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

4d | Panorama
Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

5d | Features

More Videos from TBS

Macron to visit Greenland after Trump's annexation threat

Macron to visit Greenland after Trump's annexation threat

9h | TBS World
Important facilities including Natanz damaged in Israeli attack

Important facilities including Natanz damaged in Israeli attack

9h | Others
Iran's gas production from South Pars halted after Israeli attack

Iran's gas production from South Pars halted after Israeli attack

10h | TBS World
Why the Strait of Hormuz is a key point of discussion in the Iran-Israel conflict

Why the Strait of Hormuz is a key point of discussion in the Iran-Israel conflict

9h | Others
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net