Chief Adviser to hold talks with political parties this afternoon

Three weeks after assuming office as the head of the interim government, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus is set to engage in discussions with political parties Saturday (31 August) afternoon.

An official from the Press Wing of the Office of the Chief Adviser said the exchange of views with the political parties will commence at 3 pm at the state guest house Jamuna and continue until 8 pm.

During the discussions, the political parties are expected to present their proposals and views on the country's current situation, the reform of the administration and the election commission, and the next general election.

Environment and Forest Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan indicated that they will persist with the dialogue process with political parties and accept the reform proposals that emerge from these discussions.

Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 due to a student-led mass uprising, the advisory council led by Dr Muhammad Yunus took the responsibility of the interim government on August 8.

Although major political party BNP welcomed the interim government, its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been calling since August 24 for the government to engage in talks with political parties regarding the election issue.

A delegation led by Mirza Fakhrul met with the Chief Adviser on Thursday.

After the meeting, BNP Secretary General Mirza told reporters that the Chief Adviser will exchange views with the political parties in phases.

Earlier on August 12, senior leaders of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, CPB led by Shah Alam, Gonotantra Mancha, BJP, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, AB Party, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Democratic Left Alliance and NDM held separate meetings with the Chief Adviser and extended their full support to the interim government.

As of filing this report on Saturday afternoon, the Chief Adviser’s office had not disclosed how many political parties have been invited to join the exchange of views.

However, some political parties have confirmed that they have been invited to the Chief Adviser’s office for an exchange of views.

Subsequently, the Chief Adviser will hold discussions with delegations from Gonoforum, LDP, Jatiya Party, Jatiyatabadi Samomana Dal, the 12-party alliance, and Bangladesh JSD.