Many things added beyond Charter’s scope in the recommendations: Salahuddin

“They have sought to create national disunity instead of national unity,” the BNP representative says

BNP's Salahuddin Ahmed has alleged that the National Consensus Commission included issues beyond the discussions and the agreed framework of the July National Charter in its recommendations to the government, apparently to seek “relief” or “closure” from its assignment.

While thanking the commission for submitting its recommendations, the Standing Committee member also expressed his disappointment and frustration over their contents.

The National Consensus Commission submitted its set of recommendations for implementing the July National Charter to the chief advisor on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters later in the afternoon after meeting with the law advisor, the senior leader who led the party's engagement in the talks, said: “The National Consensus Commission has finally completed its work. For that, I thank them. Secondly, I thank them again, because instead of establishing national unity, they have taken steps to create national disunity.”

He added, “The recommendations contain many things that go beyond what we signed in the July National Charter. Discussions were held for four or five days. But much of what we discussed isn’t there. I believe the commission made these recommendations just to secure their discharge from duty.”

Salahuddin also expressed surprise that the commission’s report did not include any "note of dissent".

He said, “Many of the 84 points in the Charter show differing party views. Surprisingly, the submission makes no mention of the notes of dissent.”

Salauddin also questioned the idea of the “Constitutional Reform Council” included in the recommendations.

“A new idea called the Constitutional Reform Council has been added here,” he said. “It was never discussed at the commission’s table. The next election will be a parliamentary election.

“If parliament members are to implement constitutional reforms, it has to be decided in parliament. The commission cannot suddenly impose it.”

The recommendations submitted by the Consensus Commission suggested implementing the Charter through a referendum by issuing a constitutional order.

The commission also presented two alternative methods to provide legal backing for the recommendations.

One option is to submit a full draft bill prepared by an interim government on constitutional reforms for a referendum.

It also recommended forming a Constitutional Reform Council alongside the formation of the new parliament, which would have structural authority over constitutional reforms.

If the council fails to complete reforms within 270 calendar days from its first session, the bill approved by referendum would automatically become part of the Constitution.

Salahuddin, however, noted that there is currently no constitutional provision for a referendum.

He said: “Only the formation of parliament is expected through elections. Constitutional reforms are not part of it. The Election Commission’s constitutional mandate is to conduct parliamentary and presidential elections.

“Yes, if the July National Charter receives a mandate through a referendum, a constitutional council can be formed accordingly. But the Charter will go to referendum as it was signed.”

Salahuddin also said the proportional representation system for upper house members, based on lower house votes, was not included in the July Charter as part of consensus.

“It says upper house members will be formed proportionally from lower house votes. No discussion or decision has been made on this. They claim this will go to referendum. This was never decided.”

The leader expressed concern over the 270-day deadline set in the recommendations. “If reforms are not implemented within this period, they will be automatically included in the Constitution. This is absurd.

“Nothing like an autopass can exist in the Constitution. I don’t know how these points made it into the recommendations,” he said.