Consensus Must, Polls To Be A Grand Festival: Prof Yunus

Reaffirming the interim government’s resolve to ensure a festive national election in February, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday stressed that political parties must reach consensus without fail to make the journey toward a ‘New Bangladesh’ successful.

“We have said this repeatedly—the upcoming election will be a celebration. If we resolve the remaining issues, it will become a true festival and mark the rebirth of the nation. This is not just an election, it is a national celebration,” he said, urging all parties to work together to complete the final steps.

Prof Yunus noted that the world will closely observe Bangladesh’s approach to the coming national polls. Emphasising the importance of the final stage, he said, “A chapter ends here, but the last part is the most crucial. If we complete it properly and impartially, it will set a global example.”

The event at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka was addressed by National Consensus Commission (NCC) Vice Chair Prof Ali Riaz, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed, Jamaat leader Hamidur Rahman Azad, and National Citizen Party leader Akhter Hossen. Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider conducted the session.

Prof Yunus said that despite arguments and disagreements, the solution lies in one path: consensus. “The opportunity given by the student-people’s uprising to start a new journey as a nation can only be realised through building a new Bangladesh on the basis of consensus,” he said.

He recalled being unsure whether the NCC would succeed at its inception, but credited its members with setting an “unprecedented example” through patience and dialogue. “You have done the main work; only a small stretch remains. Everything depends on this final part. Complete it beautifully, and you will set an example for the world,” he urged.

Expressing gratitude to the NCC, he said, “You have created a unique example and written a memorable chapter in history. Now, it must be finished perfectly.”

Looking ahead to the polls, Prof Yunus expressed hope for a peaceful and festive election that would signal the beginning of a new national journey. He cautioned against getting stuck on minor disputes at the cost of losing the bigger opportunity.

“We need these reforms so that no autocrat can ever reemerge, and all avenues for authoritarianism are blocked. To stop autocrats, we must act together. There is room for disagreement, but we cannot finish this task while remaining divided. My humble appeal is that you embrace one another when finalising the July Charter,” he said.

Prof Yunus stressed that there should be no anxiety entering the election process. “We have built the highway, the destination is clear, and this opportunity will not come again. There is no scope for failure.”

Prof Ali Riaz, meanwhile, called on political parties to protect and strengthen their unity to ensure full implementation of the National July Charter, warning that anti-reform forces were still trying to obstruct the process.

“Some matters remain unsettled, but by sustaining cooperation among the parties we will reach a final conclusion in the coming months. This unity must be protected and carried forward so that the achievements of past dialogues and the current talks become a milestone in transforming Bangladesh’s political culture,” he said.