Online Desk  :  The National Consensus Commission opened its dialogues with political parties, starting with the Liberal Democratic Party, LDP, on Thursday, March 20, aiming to build a national consensus on the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. The meeting with the LDP began with Vice Chairman of the consensus commission Professor Ali Riaz in the chair at the LD Hall of the parliament complex at 3:00pm. An eight-member delegation, led by LDP President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, is in the meeting.

The commission will also sit with other political parties in phases. A total of 16 political parties have so far submitted their opinions. The 16 parties are Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Khelafat Majlish, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, Zaker Party, Bhasani Onusari Parishad, Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM), Amjanatar Dal, Rashtra Sanskar Andolon, Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Bangladesh Jasad, Bangladesh Labour Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), Nagorik Oikya, Jatiya Ganofront, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

Besides, 14 political parties sought a few more days to place their complete opinions. The Consensus Commission is again contacting the remaining nine parties. The commission, spearheaded by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, started its work on February 15, 2025. The commission identified the crucial recommendations made in the reports of five reform commissions – the constitution reform commission, the public administration reform commission, the electoral system reform commission, the judiciary reform commission and the ACC reform commission – to seek opinions from the political parties. Later, the commission sent a set of recommendations in a spreadsheet format to 38 political parties asking them to send their specific opinions on the important reform recommendations by March 13.