Consensus yet to be reached on upper house formation: Prof Ali Riaz
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Though a bicameral parliament is crucial to represent the diversity of society, political parties are yet to reach consensus on how the upper house should be formed, Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz has said.
The commission, however, made two proposals in this regard, and some proposals have also been made in discussions with political parties. These proposals need further discussion, he stated.
Prof Ali Riaz made these remarks on Monday while briefing journalists after the 13th day of the second phase of the discussions between the political parties and the commission at the Foreign Service Academy in the city.
However, everyone agreed on permanently allocating 100 seats for women in the Parliament, he said, adding that in this case, too, there is still a methodological question.
"As a result, we have not yet reached a consensus on determining this method."
Prof Ali Riaz also said that apart from this proposal, some other proposals have come up for discussion. Therefore, the commission has decided to continue the discussion to reconsider the issue.
Representatives of 30 political parties, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), participated in today's discussion with the National Consensus Commission.
Salahuddin Ahmed, who led the BNP delegation at the commission meeting, told reporters that some reform proposals forwarded by the reform commissions, including the constitution reform commission, are almost impossible to implement.
However, they scrapped some of them amid disagreements among political parties, he added.
Political parties were yet to confirm 33 per cent representation of women, mainly due to the reality in the society. He hoped it would gradually increase or exceed, but it could not be possible overnight.
"After further discussion, if any acceptable proposal comes, then we will discuss it in the party’s standing committee", he said.