BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday said their party is trying to reach a consensus through discussions on the National Consensus Commission's core proposals on constitutional reforms.
“BNP is serious about reforms. That’s why we are actively engaging in discussions with the commission to reach a consensus,” he said while speaking to journalists during a break in dialogue with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad.
He said the National Consensus Commission's spreadsheet was “misleading" and created "unnecessary confusion" about the party's intentions.
“The format caused confusion and misled the public about our positions. The discussions are happening point by point, not through simplistic yes-no answers,” the BNP leader explained.
He said they submitted a hard copy on Thursday, and detailed discussions are going on based on that.
“We have started with constitutional reforms, and will move on to the judiciary and electoral issues next. We want the dialogue to continue—even if it doesn’t conclude today, we’re open to further discussions. We want to show how serious BNP is about reforms," Salahuddin said.
He said their discussions cover a wide range of issues, from the preamble to the fundamental principles of the state, aiming to find solutions that serve the national interest.
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Salahuddin Ahmed said although the detailed report of the Constitution Reform Commission contains 131 proposals, the spreadsheet provided by the National Consensus Commission listed only 70. “We are engaging in discussions with the commission point by point.”
He said the BNP would hold thorough discussions on every aspect, starting from the Constitution’s preamble to the principles of the Republic and the state’s fundamental policies.
On judicial reform, Salahuddin claimed the BNP’s proposals were misrepresented in the commission’s summaries. “Our judicial reform suggestions, particularly regarding appointments, have been mischaracterised. We want reform – but it must follow constitutional procedures.”
The BNP leader said their party wants judicial independence, but reforms must align with constitutional norms.
Salahuddin said if today’s meeting does not conclude the discussions the party is willing to sit again. “We want to make it clear that BNP is very serious about genuine reform.”
A five-member BNP delegation, led by Salahuddin Ahmed, joined the talks that started at 10:35am with Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz in the chair.
BNP another standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan delivered the opening remarks at the outset of the marathon talks that continued till 4:45pm with a break.
Other BNP delegation members are BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council member Ismail Jabiullah, former establishment secretary Abu Mohammad Moniruzzaman and former general secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association Barrister Ruhul Kuddus Kajal.
Consensus Commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emadul Haque, Badiul Alam Majumdar and Dr Iftekharuzzaman were present at the discussion moderated by Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Monir Haider.
The Consensus Commission arranged the talks as part of the series of dialogues with political parties to reach a national consensus over the state reform initiatives taken by the interim government.
The commission has already held talks with 11 political parties.