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Published : 30 Apr 2026, 09:30 PM
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the BNP made compromises over the July National Charter to ensure the general election was not delayed.
Speaking on the thanksgiving motion for the president’s address on Thursday, he said the party had chosen not to raise certain objections at the time in the interest of unity and to keep the electoral process on track.
Salahuddin said the BNP’s position had been clear from the beginning: the party would not accept any provision outside the framework of the signed July National Charter.
The minister suggested that the party took this stance due to fears that the election might be blocked under the pretext of reforms.
He told the House that they had a sense of urgency and signed the Charter to reach a settlement, even though they kept quiet on different matters for the sake of the polls.
Addressing the Opposition’s stance on the July Charter, the home minister said the BNP has not moved away from the agreement but is rather holding onto it “firmly”.
“We are not ready to accept anything outside the signed Charter,” he added.
He pointed out that 26 out of 30 parties signed the document, while four declined.
Salahuddin recalled that the National Citizen Party (NCP) itself had provided notes of dissent in several places and argued that those who gave such notes have already recognised the validity of the process.
He mentioned that he was the one who proposed a referendum, but intended for it to provide legal cover to the Charter.
The minister said the BNP would not have objected to a referendum on the Charter itself.
Salahuddin, who led the party in the National Consensus Commission dialogues, noted that the BNP did not agree with a subsequent document titled the "July Implementation Order”.
He argued that this order and the questions arising from it do not fully align with the Charter.
According to him, there was no political consensus or legal validity for the order, as the president cannot use ordinances to cancel or amend constitutional provisions or schedules under Article 93.
Taking a swipe at the reform initiatives of the interim government, Salahuddin spoke of “grey-haired intellectuals” arriving from abroad with reform proposals.
He reminded critics that the Charter was born out of those very discussions and settlements.
Salahuddin mentioned that the government has proposed a special committee in parliament for constitutional amendments, which would allow for broader discussion and consensus.
He urged the Opposition to provide 12 names for the committee, warning that controversial issues will persist if they do not participate in the amendment process.
Presidential Role, Interim Arrangement
Salahuddin touched upon the president’s role, the legitimacy of the interim government, and the history of the Liberation War during his wide-ranging speech.
He noted that the president deserves thanks for acting as the guardian of the state during the power vacuum between Aug 5 and Aug 8, 2024.
Following Sheikh Hasina's ousting, President Mohammed Shahabuddin sought the Supreme Court's advice under Article 106 to form the interim government.
Salahuddin criticised some Opposition members, including Chief Whip Nahid Islam, for opposing the president despite taking their oaths of office from him.
He argued that those who were sworn in under the then chief advisor Muhammad Yunus had effectively recognised the president’s authority at that time.
The minister described the interim period as having support from two sides – “one from within the State Guest House Jamuna and another from its periphery”.
He maintained that the current government assumed power through a democratic election that earned global credibility, citing the European election observation mission’s report which found no evidence of "engineering”.
Call to End Debate on Freedom Fighter Definition
Referring to the recently passed National Freedom Fighter Council Act, the minister said the definition of a freedom fighter is now legally established.
He read out the legal definition, which includes the roles of the Pakistan Army and their local collaborators such as Razakars, Al-Badr, Al-Shams, the then Muslim League, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Peace Committees.
He urged everyone to stop debating the history that has now been settled by law.
In a sharp remark, he asked if he could label anyone a “national traitor” before applying the term to the Awami League.
He underscored that the 2024 Uprising did not happen overnight but was the result of long-term disappearances, killings, and democratic movements.
He cautioned against turning the spirit of the July Uprising into a political business, much like how another party exhausted its political capital by "selling" the spirit of 1971.
‘Trend of Defamation’ on Social Media
Salahuddin expressed concern over the rising tide of insults and personal attacks on social media.
While acknowledging freedom of expression, he noted it must be subject to reasonable restrictions to prevent the breakdown of social and religious harmony.
He described the current trend of spreading scandals involving family members and leaders as a "stained path" that hinders national progress and ruins culture.
Allegations on Economic Irregularities
The minister referred to a white paper prepared on the economy, claiming large-scale money laundering and financial mismanagement during the previous government.
He said significant funds were allegedly transferred abroad between 2009 and 2024, calling for accountability over financial irregularities.
Shadow Cabinet Proposal
Responding to opposition discussions, he said forming a shadow cabinet could be part of parliamentary democracy.
He said opposition parties should prepare to take on government responsibility through such institutional practices.
In a lighter remark, he added that a shadow cabinet could give members “the experience of ministerial responsibility”.
Presidential Role, Interim Arrangement
Salahuddin touched upon the president’s role, the legitimacy of the interim government, and the history of the Liberation War during his wide-ranging speech.
He noted that the president deserves thanks for acting as the guardian of the state during the power vacuum between Aug 5 and Aug 8, 2024.
Following Sheikh Hasina's ousting, President Mohammed Shahabuddin sought the Supreme Court's advice under Article 106 to form the interim government.
Salahuddin criticised some Opposition members, including Chief Whip Nahid Islam, for opposing the president despite taking their oaths of office from him.
He argued that those who were sworn in under the then chief advisor Muhammad Yunus had effectively recognised the president’s authority at that time.
The minister described the interim period as having support from two sides – “one from within the State Guest House Jamuna and another from its periphery”.
He maintained that the current government assumed power through a democratic election that earned global credibility, citing the European election observation mission’s report which found no evidence of "engineering”.
Call to End Debate on Freedom Fighter Definition
Referring to the recently passed National Freedom Fighter Council Act, the minister said the definition of a freedom fighter is now legally established.
He read out the legal definition, which includes the roles of the Pakistan Army and their local collaborators such as Razakars, Al-Badr, Al-Shams, the then Muslim League, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Peace Committees.
He urged everyone to stop debating the history that has now been settled by law.
In a sharp remark, he asked if he could label anyone a “national traitor” before applying the term to the Awami League.
He underscored that the 2024 Uprising did not happen overnight but was the result of long-term disappearances, killings, and democratic movements.
He cautioned against turning the spirit of the July Uprising into a political business, much like how another party exhausted its political capital by "selling" the spirit of 1971.
‘Trend of Defamation’ on Social Media
Salahuddin expressed concern over the rising tide of insults and personal attacks on social media.
While acknowledging freedom of expression, he noted it must be subject to reasonable restrictions to prevent the breakdown of social and religious harmony.
He described the current trend of spreading scandals involving family members and leaders as a "stained path" that hinders national progress and ruins culture.
Allegations on Economic Irregularities
The minister referred to a white paper prepared on the economy, claiming large-scale money laundering and financial mismanagement during the previous government.
He said significant funds were allegedly transferred abroad between 2009 and 2024, calling for accountability over financial irregularities.
Shadow Cabinet Proposal
Responding to opposition discussions, he said forming a shadow cabinet could be part of parliamentary democracy.
He said opposition parties should prepare to take on government responsibility through such institutional practices.
In a lighter remark, he added that a shadow cabinet could give members “the experience of ministerial responsibility”.
