NEW YORK, Aug 1: Bangladeshi protesters have continued their sit-in demonstration at Shahbagh, causing traffic snarls and inconvenience to residents. The protesters demanded immediate implementation of the July Charter and blocked the intersection, causing vehicular movement to standstill. The National Consensus Commission (NCC) of Bangladesh announced that several political parties reached an agreement on seven reform issues, including the appointment of the caretaker government chief, formation of an upper house, and election of the president. However, six of the agreements were opposed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies.
Several political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), and Islami Andolon, raised objections to the draft of the July Charter. They demanded that the July Charter be incorporated into a legal framework to ensure its implementation. The second phase of discussions involving 30 political parties and the NCC was launched last month as political uncertainty and instability continued to grip the country. The latest round of talks aimed to complete the recommendations of various reform commissions set by the interim government under Muhammad Yunus and drafting the July Charter. The parties that collaborated with the student leaders and Yunus to overthrow the democratically elected Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are now at loggerheads over major reform proposals. (IANS)
