TDS Desk:

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is set to hold talks with political party leaders from 4pm-7pm Thursday  on finalising the outline of July uprising proclamation, and BNP, presently the country’s main political party, has finally confirmed its participation in the dialogue.

BNP media cell member Shairul Kabir Khan said the party’s Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed would represent BNP in the talks. Minutes earlier, Shairul told reporters he had received no confirmation on the issue, and that discussions within the party were ongoing.

Media reports circulated during Thursday morning to noon highlighting the uncertainty over BNP’s participation in the talks.

July-August uprising’s student leaders as well as four advisers of the interim government – law adviser Asif Nazrul, industries adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, environment and climate change adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser Mahfuj Alam – will also take part in Thursday’s talks at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, it was revealed in a press release on Wednesday night.

Wednesday was the deadline issued by the student protest leaders, who led the movement to oust Awami League government last year, to declare the proclamation.

On Tuesday, Mahfuj Alam said BNP had agreed with other major socio-political players, including Jamaat-e-Islami, women organisations, educational organisations and student representatives, on issuing a proclamation to validate last year’s anti-fascist uprising and the interim government.

BNP, alongside Jamaat, has also reportedly accepted a government-prepared draft of the uprising proclamation for discussing its aspects in Thursday’s meeting.