Desk Report,
There is still no consensus on the implementation of the July Charter.
The second day of formal discussions between the National Consensus Commission and political parties on ways to implement the constitutional reform proposals of the July National Charter also yielded no results. On Sunday, the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens Party (NCP) reiterated their previous positions before the commission’s president and chief advisor, Professor Muhammad Yunus.
There is still no consensus on the implementation of the July Charter.
The issue of elections also came up in yesterday’s discussions. BNP said that elections must be held in February. If there is any uncertainty about the elections, national and regional security could be threatened. On the other hand, Jamaat-e-Islami said that they also want elections in February. However, if elections are held on the basis of the July Charter, they will be fair and acceptable. NCP said that elections to the Constituent Assembly are necessary to make the reforms sustainable. Amidst these differences of opinion among the parties, chief advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus said, “We have repeatedly said that elections will be held in February, elections will be held in the first half of February. That will be a festive election, if we can decide through consensus.” This election is not just an election, it will be the rebirth of the nation.’
The term of the National Consensus Commission is scheduled to end on Monday. However, in yesterday’s discussion, several parties requested the chief advisor to extend the term of the commission.
Sources said that the term of the National Consensus Commission is being extended for another round. The commission may hold another discussion with the political parties on the way to implement the charter next Wednesday.
Earlier, the commission also held informal discussions with the parties on the implementation method. 29 parties sent their opinions to the commission in writing. BNP is in favor of implementing the constitutional proposals within two years of the formation of the next National Parliament. Jamaat-e-Islami wants the reform proposals to be implemented through a special order of the President or through a referendum before the next election, and NCP wants the reform proposals to be implemented through the formation of a Constituent Assembly. The commission’s formal discussions with the parties on the way to implement the charter began last Thursday. The second-day discussion began at 3 pm yesterday at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus spoke at the discussion and listened to the statements of the three parties. BNP, Jamaat and NCP argued for their previous position on the implementation of the charter. However, in yesterday’s discussion, BNP suggested seeking the opinion of the Supreme Court on whether constitutional issues can be resolved in any forum other than the next parliament. Yesterday’s discussion was attended by Law Advisor Professor Asif Nazrul; Advisor to the Ministry of Industries, Housing and Public Works Adilur Rahman Khan; Advisor to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Roads and Bridges and Ministry of Railways Fawzul Kabir Khan; and Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and Water Resources Syeda Rizwana Hasan.
In the two-phase discussion with the political parties on the reform proposals of the six reform commissions, consensus and decisions have already been reached on 84 issues. The July National Charter is being prepared on these. The final draft of the charter has already been given to the parties. The charter is stuck due to differences of opinion on the implementation method. However, the implementation method will not be part of the charter. The consensus commission will give a recommendation to the government in this regard.
