BNP ‘confused’ about Consensus Commission spreadsheet, says Salahuddin

The document requiring short “yes or no” answers is troubling the BNP

BNP leaders have found many of the reform commission recommendations forwarded to political parties for review in the form of a spreadsheet to be misleading.

On Thursday, Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the BNP’s Standing Committee, said they see “vast differences” between the spreadsheet and the proposals of the reform panels.

He made the remark during a break in Thursday’s dialogue with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the National Parliament.

He said, "The papers given for short yes or no answers in the spreadsheet are misleading and have created a lot of confusion.

"They have confused us with the spreadsheet, misled us. They should not have sent it."

Salahuddin said that the BNP submitted detailed opinions on the recommendations related to the Constitution, judiciary, administration and elections in the discussion.

He mentioned that the party submitted “hard copies” of their views on Thursday, and added: “Detailed discussions are underway on these issues. We have started with constitutional reforms. Then there will be discussions on the judiciary and elections.

“Still, we want to keep the discussion going. If it doesn't end today, there will be discussions later. We want to show how serious the BNP is about reforms."

Salahuddin pointed out that although the detailed report of the Constitutional Reform Commission has 131 proposals, 70 issues have been mentioned in the spreadsheet of the Consensus Commission.

He said, "Our discussions are proceeding in stages. Starting from the proposal of the Constitution, we will discuss all issues, including the republic and the basic principles of the state, in stages.

"You will know the details of our progress later. We will try to come to a common ground through discussions on the basic proposals related to amending the Constitution."

He said the BNP agreed with 25 proposals of the Constitutional Reform Commission, partially agreeing with about 25 issues while disagreeing with the rest.

"We will explain the logic behind the detailed opinions we provided on all these issues, and we also want a reasonable knowledge about their proposals. We will definitely consider whatever is rational, keeping in mind the welfare of the nation."

Salahuddin said, "We have given views on 89 out of the 150 opinions in the detailed report. In most of the remaining cases, we have agreed, or did so with comments."

Highlighting the “vast differences” between the detailed report and the issues on which opinions were sought in “yes or no” format, the BNP leader said: "Issuing an ordinance to appoint judges without amending Article 95 of the Constitution will be unconstitutional until it is adopted in the Constitution.

"Until Article 116 is amended, there will be a question of whether establishing the Supreme Court Secretariat will be constitutional or not. Violation of the Constitution by the judiciary will not be tolerated."

Salahuddin said that the BNP wants to secure the independence of the judiciary.

"We will give our detailed opinions so that the process is carried out legally and constitutionally. We have also given it in writing."

He observed that most of the issues of electoral reform are related to constitutional amendments.

"They have made proposals on some issues, which if implemented will not maintain the independence of the Election Commission."

Noting that the commission's discussions with the BNP are at the second stage, he said, "There will be more discussions if necessary because we are moving forward with a positive outlook."

Following the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5, the interim government took charge and formed 11 commissions to drive state reform initiatives in two phases.

Headed by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, the Consensus Commission, which aims to bring the political parties and the public to an agreement about the reforms, began work on Feb 15.

That day, the first meeting of all political parties, including the BNP, was held with the Consensus Commission at the Foreign Service Academy.

The commission then sought the views of 39 political parties on the recommendations from reform panels, including constitutional, public administration, electoral, judiciary and the Anti-Corruption Commission.

As many as 34 parties have presented their opinions and the commission is now holding separate meetings on the matter.

The meeting with the BNP began at 10:30am on Thursday at the LD Hall of the parliament complex.

A four-member delegation led by Salahuddin and including Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan, BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council Member Ismail Zabihullah and central party leader Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal.

At the start of the dialogue, Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Ali Riaz said: “We have seen time and again that democracy has stumbled in this country and autocracy was established.

“The democratic forces of Bangladesh have struggled against this, and in this the BNP has played a leading role.”

He said, “Our goal is to create a National Charter so that we can establish a permanent democratic system in Bangladesh.”

Referring to the July Uprising, BNP's Nazrul Islam Khan said, "Another opportunity has emerged, and we want to utilise it. We are cooperating with this commission, cooperating with this government with that expectation."