DHAKA, April 17, 2025 (BSS) – BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed today said their party agrees on 25 constitutional reform proposals given by the Reform Commission.
“We agree on 25 of the reform proposals and have given partial opinions on 25 more. We have disagreements on the rest,” he told reporters following a meeting with National Consensus Commission on reforms.
Ahmed said they will try to reach a consensus on the basic proposals and will do what is logical and sit again if required.
Noting that opinions have been expressed on 89 points regarding the reform of the judiciary, he said, adding everything should be constitutional as BNP wants independence of judiciary and the process should be constitutional.
Ahmed said the Election Commission should be the authority to issue NID and make demarcation of constituencies.
Earlier, a five-member BNP delegation led by BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed joined the meeting of the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Ismail Zabihullah and Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajal were in the delegation.
National Consensus Commission Vice Chairman and Constitutional Reform Commission chief Prof Ali Riaz chaired the meeting which was attended by commission members Badiul Alam Majumder, retired Justice Emdadul Haque, Iftekharuzzaman and Special Assistant to Chief Adviser Monir Haider.
Consensus Commission Vice Chairman Ali Riaz said the commission wants to make a national charter based on consensus with political parties. “The main goal is to establish a lasting democracy. BNP’s role for democracy is commendable,” he said.
The first meeting of the National Consensus Commission with all political parties, including the BNP, was held at the Foreign Service Academy on Bailey Road on February 15. The meeting was presided over by Commission Chairman and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.
National Consensus Commission began formal discussions on March 20 to finalize the recommendations made by the reform commissions.
The first meeting was with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). So far, they have completed meetings with 11 political parties.
The BNP submitted its written opinion to the National Consensus Commission on March 23.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan today said they want to utilize the opportunity that has been created for nation-building.
“We could not keep up many victories in the past. That is why we are cooperating with the commission and the government as much as possible so that the victory is not lost,” he said at the beginning of BNP’s meeting with National Consensus Commission at Jatiya Sangsad LD Hall here.
Khan said the desire of people to change should not be dampened as the people are at the root of everything and everything should be done with the consent of the people.
Stating that BNP’s state reform is not only a demand of BNP but also a commitment, Nazrul Islam Khan said, although there is no July Charter in consensus, BNP has a 31-point charter prepared after discussions with all political parties.
At the time, National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz said, “The goal is to create a national charter, through which we can create a permanent democratic system.”
BNP has given specific opinion and we want to discuss different opinions. The people of the country are aware of BNP’s role in the democratic struggle. Their role is commendable to the people.”
BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed, BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council Member Ismail Zabiullah, Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajal and retired Secretary Abu Mohammad Moniruzzaman Khan attended in the meeting.