The reason BNP harbors doubts about the 'Congress Assembly' and the 'Second Republic

While the BNP has welcomed the newly formed student and youth political party, the National Citizen Party (NCP), it holds a different stance on the party’s political objectives. The BNP has expressed skepticism regarding the NCP leaders' demands for a Second Republic and elections for a Constituent Assembly. BNP policymakers believe these demands are intended to delay the national elections.

According to BNP leaders, the actions of student and youth activists suggest that their primary objective is to rewrite or significantly alter the constitution. To achieve this, they are pushing for Constituent Assembly elections, which, in turn, have fueled discussions about establishing a Second Republic. However, BNP policymakers argue that such a radical constitutional transformation would require considerable time and cannot be achieved without broad political consensus.

Furthermore, BNP leaders caution that without consensus on fundamental constitutional reforms, political divisions will deepen, ultimately harming the future of student and youth politics. The NCP, which emerged as a leading force in the July uprising, was officially launched on February 28. In its founding declaration, the party stated its mission to prevent any possibility of re-establishing a constitutional dictatorship by drafting a democratic new constitution. One of its primary goals is to introduce a new constitution through Constituent Assembly elections, paving the way for a Second Republic.

At a program in Dhaka on Tuesday, NCP convener Nahid Islam reiterated that a new republic is necessary to build a new Bangladesh, requiring a fresh constitution and Constituent Assembly elections. He also suggested that these elections could be held alongside the National Assembly elections.

In response to these demands, BNP leaders have voiced their reservations. During an event at the Ladies Club in Dhaka last Sunday, BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas remarked, "A new party has emerged, and caution is needed. I do not fully understand their slogans. What does ‘Second Independence’ mean? What exactly is the ‘Second Republic’? I am unsure, and I wonder if others understand it either. It seems as if an attempt is being made to create division within the nation."

Similarly, on Saturday, BNP Standing Committee member Salah Uddin Ahmed suggested at another event that the demand for a Second Republic and Constituent Assembly elections might be part of a larger strategy to push the country into a prolonged undemocratic process.

BNP leaders question the necessity of Constituent Assembly elections for constitutional reform. They argue that the government has already established a Constitutional Reform Commission, to which political parties have submitted their reform proposals. The National Consensus Commission is responsible for discussing these proposals and resolving disagreements. Given this framework, BNP policymakers ask why there is a sudden call for a Constituent Assembly election to draft a new constitution.

They further emphasize that Bangladesh is already an independent, sovereign democratic state with an existing constitution. The interim government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, was sworn in under this constitution and has been in power for six months. BNP leaders question the timing of the demand for a Constituent Assembly after so many years.

From their perspective, the August 5 coup removed an extreme dictatorship in response to public unrest, but it did not create a new state or grant fresh independence to the country. Typically, a Constituent Assembly is required when a nation lacks a constitution and needs to establish one before holding parliamentary elections. However, BNP leaders argue that Bangladesh does not fit this scenario. Instead, they claim that the previous Awami League government manipulated the constitution to consolidate power, and now, any necessary reforms should align with the aspirations of the student-led public movement—without requiring a Constituent Assembly.

When questioned about this issue, BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy told Prothom Alo:
"Why do we need a Constituent Assembly? Can’t Parliament amend the constitution? And what does the 'Second Republic' even mean—does it imply rejecting our independence? Perhaps they believe the public will accept whatever they say. That is not the case. We are not obligated to respond to every statement they make. Let them say and do as they please; our priority remains a free and fair election, which is what the people truly want."

Notably, the concept of a "Second Republic" first gained traction following the July Uprising. On October 22 last year, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens' Committee formally introduced the idea. During the Revolutionary Student-People's Mass Gathering at Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar, they put forward a five-point demand, which included banning the Chhatra League, calling for the President’s resignation, and issuing a new Proclamation of the Republic to redefine Bangladesh’s governance beyond 2024 in line with the ideals of the July Revolution.

Ariful Islam Adeeb, Senior Joint Convener of the Jatiya Nagorik Party, provided further insight into the concept of the Second Republic. Speaking to Prothom Alo, he explained:
"The First Republic was established through our liberation war and the subsequent drafting of our constitution. However, due to structural flaws in that constitution, the government and Prime Minister have become increasingly authoritarian and fascist. Despite repeated amendments, this issue persists."

He further stated:
"To ensure citizens are empowered and state institutions act as protectors of the people, we need a fundamental transformation of the constitution. This is what we mean by the 'Second Republic'—a system that guarantees democratic integrity and prevents authoritarian rule."