Leaders of the Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal鈥揓asad on Saturday proposed the formation of a dialogue framework under the national parliament to facilitate continued discussions on reform proposals to be left unimplemented during the interim government鈥檚 tenure.
During a dialogue with the National Consensus Commission on key reform proposals it presented, Bangladesh-Jasad leaders said that the issues on which consensus has been achieved could be implemented immediately through ordinances and administrative orders.
The dialogue between the Bangladesh-Jasad and the NCC took place at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka.
In response to the NCC鈥檚 166-point reform proposal, the party stated that the mass uprising of 1990 should be recognised in the constitution with due importance.
The party opposed the proposed Bangla term for the word 鈥楻epublic鈥� as well as the removal of the Declaration of Independence and the historic March 7 speech of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the constitution.
Bangladesh-Jasad also recommended that when referring to the ethnic groups other than Bengalis, the term 鈥榓divasi鈥� should be used for them in the constitution along with a proper definition.
Regarding judicial reforms, the party emphasised that a swift implementation of the directives from the Masdar Hossain case verdict could significantly advance reform of the judiciary.
鈥榃e support a bicameral legislature, but recommend that elections to the two chambers follow the US model,鈥� said Mushtuq Husain, a presidium member of the party.
A 10-member Bangladesh-Jasad delegation, led by its general secretary Nazmul Haque Prodhan, took part in the dialogue.
The meeting was chaired by NCC vice-chairman Ali Riaz. Other members present included Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Iftekharuzzaman, Badiul Alam Majumder, and Monir Haider, special assistant to the chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
On the day, a Zaker Party delegation, led by its secretary general Shamim Haider, also had a dialogue with the NCC.
Before the dialoguess began, Ali Riaz stated that the commission aimed to complete the first phase of its ongoing dialogue with the political parties by mid-May. The second phase would begin thereafter, whereafter the commission would draft a political consensus-based national charter by mid-July.
The NCC, formed under the leadership of interim government chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, began its work on February 15. On March 5, it sent out a 166-point questionnaire on key reform areas. As of Saturday, 32 out of the 39 invited political parties had submitted their responses.
Since formal discussions began on March 20, the commission has held meetings with eight political parties.
