Second phase of Consensus Commission talks from tomorrow

The National Consensus Commission (NCC) formally announced that the second phase of political dialogue between the country's political parties and the commission will commence on Monday, June 2.

The inaugural session will be held at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital's Segunbagicha area at 3:30 PM, with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus slated to open the proceedings. NCC's Public Relations Officer Paban Chowdhury said to the media that the Chief Adviser will formally inaugurate the second phase emphasizing the symbolic and procedural significance of the opening event. Chowdhury added that the commission is entering the new phase with a focus on 'thematic deliberations' particularly on issues where consensus remains elusive.

According to official sources within the commission, only the Chief Adviser will deliver remarks on the opening day to set the tone for the next round of discussions. Formal deliberations with political parties are scheduled to resume the following day, June 3, with one representative from each of the 32 invited political parties and alliances expected to participate.

Commission source confirmed that the NCC suspended the session with United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), a political entity based in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, amidst significant public criticism, and no subsequent effort has been made to reschedule the meeting. The meeting with UPDF was scheduled on May 10.