The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has rejected proposed amendments to the constitution’s preamble, arguing that equating the 1971 Liberation War with the 2024 uprising is inappropriate. The party has also opposed changing the country’s name.
Meanwhile, the National Citizen Party (NCP) has endorsed 113 out of 166 reform recommendations, including the introduction of a bicameral parliament.
Both parties submitted their positions to the National Consensus Commission, highlighting divisions over electoral governance, constitutional changes, and the role of an interim government.
The Consensus Commission meeting commenced at 9:30am and continued until noon.
On the day, alongside the BNP and NCP, several other political parties, including the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and the Rastro Songskar Andolan, participated in the discussions. The meeting was attended by the Vice President of the National Consensus Commission, Prof Ali Riaz, as well as commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Badiul Alam Majumdar, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, and the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider.
The Rastro Songskar Andolan advocated for constitutional reforms through a referendum before the national elections.
On the other hand, the CPB observed that there are ambiguities in several of the 166 recommendations. The party stressed discussions and deliberations as proper approach to implement reforms.
BNP’s objections
Speaking to reporters on Sunday after submitting BNP’s written objections to the proposed reforms, the party’s Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed criticised the lack of specific reference to the preamble in the reform proposal’s spreadsheet, arguing that the preamble is a fundamental part of the constitution and should not be rewritten.
“The proposal places the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 uprising on the same footing, which we believe is inappropriate. This issue could be addressed separately or included in the constitution’s schedule,” he said.
The BNP also rejected proposals to change the name of the state, arguing that the existing name has been long accepted by the people and that any alteration would serve little purpose.
The party reaffirmed its support for the preamble in its form prior to the 15th Amendment and called for the Election Commission to retain control over national ID registration and constituency demarcation.
NCP’s support for key reforms
In contrast, the NCP took a more flexible stance, agreeing with 113 of the 166 recommendations.
Speaking to journalists after submitting the party’s position to the National Consensus Commission, NCP Joint Convenor and Reform Coordination Committee Coordinator Sarwar Tushar said the party was open to changes that do not require constitutional amendments.
“We believe non-constitutional reforms can be implemented through ordinances, while constitutional amendments would require a Constituent Assembly election,” he said.
The NCP also supported the introduction of a bicameral parliament but insisted that political parties should declare their upper house candidates before elections, arguing that voters have the right to know who will represent them.
On the role of the prime minister, the party proposed that while the premier could advise the president, such advice should not be binding.
The NCP backed the concept of an election-time interim government, suggesting that its tenure should be between 70 and 75 days.
However, the party indicated that such a system might become unnecessary in the future, with the proposed constitutional council eventually assuming responsibility for election oversight.
Rastro Songskar Andolan agrees on 151 reform proposals
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chief Coordinator of the Rastra Sanskar Andolan Hasnat Kaiyum said that out of the 166 proposals by the National Consensus Commission, his party agrees on 151, partially agrees on 10, and disagrees on 5.
He emphasised that the party is willing to accept a referendum if necessary to implement constitutional reforms in areas where consensus is reached. The key demand is to ensure that these reforms take place before or alongside the national elections rather than being left to a newly elected parliament. This could be achieved through either a referendum or an election for a constitutional reform assembly.
Hasnat Kaiyum also mentioned that they have proposed renaming the secularism policy.
While maintaining pluralism, they suggested replacing the term “secularism” in the relevant constitutional article with “religious freedom and communal harmony”, ensuring that all previous provisions remain intact.
CPB: Ambiguities in several of the 166 recommendations
General Secretary of the CPB Ruhin Hossain Prince remarked that ticking boxes is not an appropriate method for implementing reforms. Instead, the proper approach is through discussions and deliberations.
He stated that the CPB is waiting to engage in talks with the National Consensus Commission.
Ruhin Hossain made these remarks to journalists after meeting with the Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Parliament Building on Sunday.