NCC meeting boycott a 'symbolic protest': Jamaat

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's decision to skip the first day of talks with the National Consensus Commission (NCC) was a 'symbolic protest'against the interim government, said party Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher on Wednesday, report agencies.

Speaking to reporters after joining the second day's discussion at the Foreign Service Academy, Taher clarified that the boycott was a reaction to certain actions taken by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus during his recent London trip.

"We raised objections to and issued a statement regarding his London visit. Our highest executive council approved this position," he said.

He went on to say, "The chief adviser went to London to receive an award and retrieve laundered money, which we welcomed. He also met BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, which we also appreciated. However, he later issued a joint statement with only one party, which surprised and embarrassed us."

Taher emphasised that issuing a joint statement with a representative of a single party without consulting others was unprecedented and inappropriate for someone in Yunus's position.

"There's no precedent for a chief adviser issuing a joint statement with the representative of just one political party. It caused discomfort to all other parties, including ours," he said.