The second round of talks between the National Consensus Commission and the National Citizen Party (NCP) began at the LD Hall of the National Parliament around 10:00am today. Photo: PID

DHAKA, May 06, 2025 (BSS) - The second round of talks between the National Consensus Commission (NCC) and the National Citizen Party (NCP) has begun at the LD Hall of the National Parliament around 10:00am today.

At the beginning of the meeting, NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen handed over a set of reform proposals to NCC Vice Chairman Prof. Ali Riaz.

Prof. Riaz presided over the meeting.

NCC member Justice Emdadul Haque, Badiul Alam Majumder, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Safar Raj Hossain, Mohammad Ayub Miah and special assistant to the Chief Adviser Monir Haider attended, among others. 

NCP delegation included party's northern region Chief Organizer Sarjis Alam and Joint Conveners Sarwar Tushar and Javed Rasin.

Akhter Hossen criticized the authoritarian legacy embedded in the state machinery over the past five decades. 

"Due to the autocratic imprints embedded in Bangladesh's state structure over the last 50 years, people have repeatedly been oppressed and persecuted," he said.

He added the meeting is being held with the goal of transitioning the constitution and state structure from such an authoritarian and fascist framework to a democratic one.

"To honor the sacrifices of the July Uprising, we must prevent re-emergence of fascist frameworks in this country," Akhter said, adding, "The foundation of genuine reform lies in balancing power, ensuring accountability, and promoting decentralization."

For this, Akhter argued the authoritarian influences from the constitutional and state apparatus must be removed, key constitutional positions depoliticized and judicial independence safeguard.

He added that the NCP had submitted a comprehensive outline identifying key areas to reform.
Prof Riaz said that progress had already been made on several fronts.

He hoped the ongoing talks will settle many unresolved issues.

The NCC has planned to conclude the primary talks with political parties by May 15, Prof Riaz noted.

He said the second phase of talks will begin shortly.

Notably, the first meeting between the NCC and the NCP took place on April 19, during which the groups discussed proposals from the Constitution, Judiciary, and Election Reform Commissions.

According to commission sources, today's meeting is also expected to cover pending discussions on the recommendations of the Public Administration Reform Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission.