Which parties to join meeting with chief adviser today

Chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus will hold meetings with several political parties over the reforms in the government and the next parliamentary election.

The meetings are being held at the state guest house Jamuna from 3:00pm to 8:00pm on Saturday.

The first view exchange meeting with two factions of Khelafat Majlish started at around 3:00pm in the afternoon. Jatiya Party led by GM Quader got the invitation.

Besides, Bangladesh Islami Andolon, Liberal Democratic Party, Jatiyatabadi Samomona Jote, Bangladesh Jasod, 12-Party Alliance and Gano Forum will hold meetings to exchange view with the chief adviser.

After four days of taking charge as the chief of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus held talks with several parties and alliances including BNP, Ganatantra Mancha, Jamaat-e-Islami and Communist Party on 12-13 August.

In the first phase, several parties and alliances were left out. Meetings are being held at the state guest house Jamuna today.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, LDP leader Oli Ahmed said they would submit a number of proposals for reforms in sectors including the election commission, the police, administration and the judiciary during the meeting with the chief adviser.

He said they want to give emphasis on the reforms instead of the timeframe of the election.

Leaders of other parties including Islami Andolon and alliances said they would also place various proposals on reforms.

Several advisers, speaking to Prothom Alo, said after the view exchange meetings in the first phase, the government would start discussions on specific issues with different parties and alliances in the second phase for preparing a road map within a short span of time.

However, before finishing the first phase of meetings, the chief adviser invited BNP and held a meeting in the second phase on Thursday.

For the last couple of days in political events, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was calling upon the interim government to declare the roadmap for reforms and election. The party was also giving emphasis on the dialogue with the political parties in this regard.

At a press conference on Wednesday, the BNP secretary general expressed various apprehensions. He also pointed out the experience of the 1/11 army-backed government of 2007 led by Fakhruddin Ahmed. On the following day, the BNP held a meeting with the chief adviser.

During the meeting with the chief adviser on Thursday, BNP leaders stressed on the declaration of 'a roadmap' for the next parliamentary election in a free and fair manner after carrying out immediate reforms in related organisations including the election commission, the law enforcing agencies and the judiciary. BNP suggested holding extensive dialogue with political parties over these issues.

Sources in the government said when the government would start discussions on specific issues with different parties and alliances in the second phase for preparing a road map, BNP will also be invited at the time.

Several leaders of some parties including BNP, speaking to BNP said, the interim government has not yet given any clarification to the people about the specific reforms and how much time will be needed. As a result, doubt is emerging and there is a scope of criticism.

However, from the government side, it is being said that decisions are being taken through discussions with political parties.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, an adviser said alongside the Students Against Discrimination movement, the government wants to advance everything including reforms after discussing with the political parties. As a result, discussions with the parties will continue.

In the process of dialogue with the political parties, Awami League, which was ousted from power on 5 August, and their partners of the 14-party alliance have been left out. After the fall of Awami League government on 5 August, the interim government was formed on 8 August. The decision to form this interim government was taken after a discussion between political parties and the army, but Awami League was not included in the discussion.