Stating that the National Consensus Commission will not impose anything on anyone, its Vice-Chairman, Professor Ali Riaz, said that the commission is moving forward by excluding many issues because it believes that there is no consensus on many issues.
He made these remarks before the start of the tenth day of the second phase of the National Consensus Commission’s meeting with political parties on Monday.

Earlier, the discussion began at 11:15 am at the Doel Hall of the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. Leaders of various political parties including BNP, Jamaat and NCP participated in the meeting.

Ali Riaz said that political parties will not agree on some issues; even then, efforts for consensus must continue. At the same time, he sought cooperation from political parties to complete the work quickly, keeping in mind the time constraints.

The commission said that today there will be discussions on the expansion of subordinate courts at the upazila level, declaration of a state of emergency, and women’s representation.

BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Ismail Zabiullah, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Dr. A HM Hamidur Rahman Azad, NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, LDP Secretary General Dr. Redwan Ahmed, CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju, Gono Shonghoti Andolon Chief Coordinator Jonayed Saki, NPP Chairman Dr. Fariduzzaman Farhad, Labor Party Chairman Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran, National Party Chairman Syed Ehsanul Huda, Bangladesh Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, Bangladesh LDP Secretary General Shahadat Hossain Selim, Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Dr. Ahmed Abdul Quader, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh Secretary General Manjurul Islam Effendi, and Hasnat Qayyum of the State Reform Movement were present among others.

After the discussion, Professor Ali Riaz will first formally brief journalists. Later, he is scheduled to brief representatives of political parties.

The National Consensus Commission was formed to amend the constitution. The commission began its activities on February 15.