BNP leader Salahuddin questions requirement for unanimous approval of NCC proposals

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday questioned the rationale behind the ongoing reform dialogue if political parties are expected to fully endorse every proposal made by the National Consensus Commission (NCC). "If we're being asked to agree 100 percent with all of the Commission's proposals, then why are we even being invited for discussions?" he asked reporters after the seventh day of the second phase of NCC talks held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

Salahuddin emphasized that the aim of the July Charter, or National Charter, is to consolidate only those proposals on which all parties can reach consensus. “If we are being compelled to agree on every single issue, that’s unacceptable,” he said in response to a media query.

While asserting that BNP remains hopeful, not disheartened, he added, “Our position is clear: the July Charter should reflect only those issues that have unanimous support.”

Salahuddin noted BNP’s backing for several key reforms, including amending Article 70 of the Constitution, reforming the leadership structure of key parliamentary standing committees, and placing term limits on the office of the Prime Minister—supporting a 10-year cap during a person's lifetime, but only if no oversight body such as a National Constitutional Council or Appointment Committee is formed for constitutional and statutory institutions.

He also said the BNP supports electing the President through a secret ballot and giving MPs the freedom to vote independently.

However, he reiterated BNP’s opposition to some proposed reforms, such as the establishment of an Appointment Committee for constitutional bodies and the introduction of a Proportional Representation (PR) system in a proposed 100-seat Upper House. Instead, BNP advocates that representation in the Upper House—if created—should reflect the number of MPs each party holds in the Lower House.

Salahuddin pointed out that most other political parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP), favour both the Appointment Committee and the PR-based Upper House.