Consensus must; polls to be a grand festival: Prof Yunus

Prof. Yunus with political leaders after a meeting on national consensus at the Foreign Service Academy on Sunday. UNB

Reaffirming the interim government's commitment to ensuring a festive national election in February next, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday emphasised that political parties must reach a consensus without failure to make the journey towards ‘New Bangladesh’ a success.

“We are repeatedly saying this. The upcoming election will be a moment of celebration. If we resolve the remaining issues, it will be a grand festival and a true rebirth of the nation. This is not just an election, it’s a national celebration,” he said, urging all political parties to work together to complete the remaining steps.

Prof Yunus said the world will closely watch the method Bangladesh adopts on its path to the next national election, scheduled for February.

Highlighting the significance of this final stage, he said a chapter ends here, but the final part is the most crucial. “If we complete it properly and impartially, it will serve as a global example.”

National Consensus Commission Vice Chair Prof Ali Riaz, Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed, Jamaat leader Hamidur Rahman Azad and National Citizen Party leader Akhter Hossen also spoke at the event held at Foreign Service Academy in the capital.

Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider conducted the session.

Prof Yunus said no matter how much they talk, no matter how much they argue - the solution lies here.

“The only solution to the opportunity given to us by the student-people's uprising to start a new journey as a nation is to create a new Bangladesh through consensus,” he said.

Prof Yunus said that when the National Consensus Commission was formed, he was not sure whether this initiative would be successful or not.

But, he mentioned, the commission members have set an 'unprecedented example' through long discussions and patience.

“You have done the main work; there is only a little road left. Everything depends on the last part. You should complete the rest of the road beautifully, setting an example for the world,” Prof Yunus said, noting that there is no other option but the path of reaching consensus.

Expressing gratitude to the National Consensus Commission, he said, “You have set a unique example, there is no doubt about it. You have written a memorable chapter in history. Now we just have to finish it perfectly.”

The Chief Adviser said they have set up a unique example and the National Consensus Commission clicked and this is a big achievement.

Prof Yunus expressed the hope that the election will be peaceful and festive, which will mark the beginning of a new journey for the country.

“An opportunity is given to us, make sure that we do not lose anything big by getting stuck in relatively minor issues,” he said, adding that the nation must march forward.

Prof Yunus said they needed all these reforms so that no autocrat can reemerge and all avenues must be blocked.

“If we want to stop autocrats we need to do it jointly. There is space for disagreement. We can’t finish the task keeping differences. My earnest appeal to you all, hug each other when you will finalise the July Charter,” he said.

The Chief Adviser said they should enter the election process with no worry inside their minds. “We have built the highway. We will follow this path and our destination is very clear.”

He said this opportunity will not come again and there is no scope for failure. “This is the only opportunity. There is no scope to deviate from it.

Prof Ali Riaz urged political parties to protect and continue their unity and cooperation to reach a conclusion over the implementation of the National July Charter, saying that fascist forces and their allies are still trying to thwart the state reform process.

“Still, some things remain undone. We’ll definitely be able to reach a final conclusion in the coming months by continuing and protecting the trend of cooperation among the political parties, which was created in the past,” he said.

The NCC expects political parties to uphold the spirit of unity, he said, adding, “We must protect, continue and move forward this unity to take forward the achievement we’ve gained (in the last two rounds of dialogues and the current talks). We think it would be identified as a milestone in terms of the change in the political culture of Bangladesh.” - UNB