Published : 01 Apr 2026, 05:59 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 03:32 PM
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has described the presidential order forming the Constitutional Reform Council as a “document of deception”, questioning its legality in parliament.
Taking part in a discussion on the July Charter on Tuesday, he said the order issued during the interim government amounted to an “endless act of deception” and lacked constitutional validity.
He argued that the order was neither an ordinance nor a law, noting that while 133 ordinances were placed in parliament, the order in question was not presented.
“This is neither an ordinance nor a law. It may be something of a ‘neutral gender’ -- an endless document of deception by the interim government,” he said.
Salahuddin, who led discussions on state reforms for the BNP during the interim government, said no legal or constitutional legitimacy could arise from what he termed an “unconstitutional order”.
Referring to provisions of the Constitution, he questioned whether the president had the authority to convene sessions of a body such as the Constitutional Reform Council, which he claimed had no legal existence.
He said presidential powers to issue such orders were curtailed after the first parliament in 1973, adding that no order or ordinance could override parliament’s sovereign authority.
“The Constitution is the supreme law, and sovereignty lies with the people,” he said.
The minister also alleged procedural irregularities, including the absence of any legal provision for administering oaths to members of the reform council.
He criticised the role of the Election Commission, questioning its authority to circulate oath forms related to the council.
At the same time, Salahuddin reaffirmed the BNP government’s commitment to implementing the July National Charter 2025, saying it reflects the aspirations of the people and the 2024 uprising.
Highlighting the party’s electoral mandate, he said the government seeks to introduce democratic constitutional amendments through dialogue and consensus in parliament.
On behalf of the leader of the house, he proposed forming a special parliamentary committee comprising representatives from all political parties and independent members to work on constitutional reforms.
He called for collective efforts to draft and pass a “people-oriented” constitutional amendment bill through consensus.
Lawmakers from the treasury bench supported the proposal by thumping desks in parliament.
