Leaders of the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist) on Saturday called for holding the Jatiya Sangsad elections by December this year, after a prompt political consensus and the implementation of minimum reforms through ordinances where necessary.
Meanwhile, leaders of the Alliance of Like-Minded Nationalist Parties warned that the country would face serious challenges if an unelected government remains in power for an extended period.
The political leaders, after attending separate dialogues with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka, emphasised the urgency of holding the general elections and enacting key reforms within the tenure of the next parliament.
Masud Rana, SPB (Marxist) chief coordinator, speaking after his party鈥檚 session with the NCC, said they found the historical context presented in the final report of the Constitution Reform Commission 鈥榗ompletely disappointing鈥�.
He lambasted the exclusion of secularism, socialism, and nationalism from the proposed set of fundamental principles of the constitution, stating that the commission has, to some extent, disregarded the historical struggles of the people during the anti-colonial movement against Pakistan and the 1971 Liberation War.
Referring to a recommendation that promotes capitalism over socialism, he said, 鈥楽heikh Hasina had become a fascist while protecting the interests of profit-driven capitalists.鈥�
鈥業f we desire a non-discriminatory nation, socialism is our best path forward. Furthermore, we support secularism as it protects the rights of religious minorities,鈥� he added.
Rana also said his party has sought clarification from the NCC what the term 鈥榩luralism鈥� means, which has been proposed among the core constitutional principles.
The Constitution Reform Commission has recommended a basic constitutional framework based on equality, human dignity, social justice, pluralism, and democracy as the fundamental principles of the constitution.
Masud Rana further noted that resolving debates around fundamental issues 鈥� such as the proposed guiding principles, the nature of the republic, and fundamental rights 鈥攚ould facilitate a broader consensus among parties on the remaining points.
He criticised the proposed bicameral parliament, saying it would likely allow dominance by a majority party and fail to ensure an effective balance of power.
Opposing the proposed National Constitutional Council鈥檚 role in the interim government, the SPB (Marxist) suggested the council be limited to appointing constitutional officers only.
The party also strongly opposed the proposed party registration rules and demanded a complete repeal of the Article 70 of the constitution, which restricts lawmakers from voting against their party lines.
Earlier in the day, an 11-member delegation from the Alliance of Like-Minded Nationalist Parties held a meeting with the NCC at the same venue.
Fariduzzaman Farhad, chair of the National People鈥檚 Party and coordinator of the alliance, warned that a prolonged rule by an unelected government would create multiple problems for the country.
He said that political parties responded to the NCC鈥檚 call in the interest of allowing the citizens to vote freely and to ensure that a government is formed through a popular mandate.
Opening Saturday鈥檚 session at 10:00am, NCC vice-chair Ali Riaz expressed the hope that political parties and alliances would be willing to compromise on certain positions to help restructure the state and establish a democratic system.
Since the dialogues began on March 20, the NCC has held meetings with 23 political parties and alliances as of Saturday. Today, the Alliance of 12 Parties and the Socialist Party of Bangladesh are scheduled to sit in dialogues with the National Consensus Commission.