The National Unity Commission’s talks on Sunday focused on two major agenda items — the prime minister’s term limit and the state principles — but failed to reach any consensus.
Despite the Commission’s earlier recommendation that the four ideals of equality, human dignity, social justice, and democracy — drawn from the 1971 Declaration of Independence — be adopted as the state principles, political parties remain divided.
The BNP insisted on reverting to the state principles that existed before the 15th amendment, specifically those introduced under the Fifth Amendment. Islamist parties categorically rejected any retention of the four original state principles of democracy, socialism, nationalism, and secularism enshrined in the 1972 Constitution.
Jamaat-e-Islami supported the Commission’s proposed four ideals — equality, human dignity, social justice, and democracy — as state principles.
Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) General Secretary Ruhin Hassan Prince, representing the Left Democratic Alliance, said, “We support retaining the existing principles of the Constitution. The core ideals achieved through the struggles of 1971 must remain intact. Though there may be scope for reforms after proper discussion, we oppose any attempt to change the fundamental state principles.”
Meanwhile, the NCP expressed support for the four principles proposed by the Commission, stating that they would never accept the ideals of the Mujibist 1972 Constitution as they run contrary to the spirit of the July uprising.
The talks will be paused for the next two days and resume on Wednesday.
Last Thursday’s session had also covered topics including the president’s election, the prime minister’s tenure, constitutional amendments, state principles, and constituency delimitation but ended without resolution.
Representatives of 30 political parties, including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Gono Odhikar Parishad, and Gono Sanghati, attended Sunday’s session.
Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider facilitated the discussion, with members of the National Unity Commission Badiul Alam Majumdar, Justice Md. Emdadul Haque, Shafraz Hossain, Iftekharuzzaman, and Md. Ayub Mia.