Jamaat boycotts ‘National Consensus Commission’ meeting in protest of Yunus-Tariq joint declaration

Staff Reporter

Dhaka, June 17, 2025 (BDD) — Jamaat-e-Islami has boycotted the second round of dialogue of the National Consensus Commission in protest of the joint declaration issued after the meeting between Bangladesh’s interim government chief advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus and BNP’s acting chairman Tariq Rahman in London. The party’s Naib-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher confirmed this information to bdnews24.com.

The postponed meeting of the National Consensus Commission with 30 political parties began at 11:30 AM on Tuesday at the Foreign Service Academy on Bailey Road in the capital. However, no representative from Jamaat was present at the meeting, which started half an hour late. The seat reserved for Jamaat’s Naib-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher beside BNP’s Salahuddin Ahmed remained empty.

Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said, “The meeting between Dr. Yunus and Tariq Rahman in London and their joint declaration contradict our political stance. It is creating division instead of fostering national unity. Therefore, we are not participating in this dialogue.” Though he did not make any specific comments on the content of the declaration, he criticized it as “one-sided.”

The purpose of this meeting of the National Consensus Commission was to build understanding among political parties and ensure a fair environment for the upcoming national elections. However, political analysts believe Jamaat’s boycott may complicate this process.

The joint declaration issued after the meeting between Dr. Yunus and Tariq Rahman in London emphasized democratic reforms, electoral transparency, and political reconciliation. However, Jamaat’s leadership believes the declaration ignored their political position and prioritized the interests of certain parties.

Other political parties have not yet reacted to Jamaat’s boycott. However, analysts say this move by Jamaat could further complicate efforts to build national unity and increase political polarization.

A member of the National Consensus Commission, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Achieving national unity without the participation of all parties is difficult. Jamaat’s boycott is unfortunate, but we will continue the dialogue.”

This incident has sparked fresh tensions in Bangladesh’s political arena as the country moves toward a democratic transition.