Government to discuss Constitution Reform Council in parliament as opposition warns of protests

Opposition parties also say they will raise the issue in the House

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the question of forming a Constitution Reform Council to implement the July National Charter may be discussed in parliament.

Opposition parties also said they would raise the issue in the House.

The statement followed a meeting of the Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee on Saturday.

Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam also voiced their positions as the parliament prepares to resume its session on Sunday.

The issue has gained urgency after the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party electoral alliance threatened a street movement if the government fails to call a council session by Sunday.

"If no initiative is taken, we will be forced into a mass movement," warned alliance coordinator Hamidur Rahman Azad.

The reform council stems from a referendum held alongside the Feb 12 general elections.

While Jamaat-led members took oaths as council members on Feb 17, BNP-elected MPs abstained, arguing the council lacks constitutional standing.

Law Minister Asaduzzaman said the BNP’s formal stance would be clarified in parliament, calling it the "centre point of all discussions".

Meanwhile, Nahid, also the convenor of the National Citizen Party (NCP), insisted the government clarify why a separate session for constitutional reform has not yet been convened despite the referendum's outcome.

The Business Advisory Committee has scheduled 50 hours of discussion on the president’s speech.

Salahuddin said parliament would sit on Mar 15 and then go into recess from Mar 16 before resuming on Mar 29.

The session is expected to continue until Apr 30.

A special committee has also been formed to review ordinances issued during the interim government’s tenure before they are placed in the House.