BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that a vested quarter is deliberately trying to brand the BNP as an anti-reform political party.
Speaking at an emergency press conference at the party chairperson’s political office in Gulshan on Sunday, Fakhrul said, “Following the proposal for a consensus commission, fresh proposals are being introduced which are delaying the reform process.”
He pointed out that some individuals and groups continue to spread propaganda against the BNP, expecting people to believe their narrative. “But the reality is the public does not accept these narratives. The mindset of the people of Bangladesh cannot be gauged from the opinions of a handful of urban elites,” Fakhrul said.
Addressing questions raised by some political parties over the BNP’s commitment to reforms, he asserted, “There is no reason to question BNP’s sincerity. However, the party does not support proposals that would weaken essential state institutions under the guise of reform.”
He warned against imposing major changes without the participation of the people, saying, “Those seeking to delay elections are not democratic forces; they are carriers of the post-July-August coup mindset.”
Fakhrul emphasized that BNP wants all political parties to rise above partisan interests and contribute to nation-building. “BNP has always stood for constructive reforms. While there is widespread interest and hope around the national consensus commission, there is also apprehension and concern.”
He highlighted BNP’s active participation in six reform commissions and in the daily discussions of the consensus commission. Fakhrul said BNP representatives have made compromises on many issues to help reach consensus with other political parties.
He also criticized attempts to introduce opposing or entirely new proposals after long discussions and agreed drafts by the reform commissions, saying this is creating deadlocks and delaying the process. “Our representatives have patiently engaged in debates, presented evidence and logic, and supported the commissions to reach sound decisions.”
On strengthening state institutions, Fakhrul underlined BNP’s position that making elected parliaments and governments weak or ineffective contradicts the core purpose of reforms. “A government accountable to the people must not be undermined in a democratic system,” he said, adding that refusing to support such efforts is not blocking reforms but rather helping safeguard their true objectives.
Fakhrul provided detailed updates on BNP’s positions across different reform bodies:
1. In the Anti-Corruption Commission reform talks, BNP agreed to 46 out of 47 recommendations, differing only on retaining existing court approval procedures to avoid unnecessary delays.
2. On public administration reforms, BNP agreed to 187 out of 208 proposals, partially accepted five, and disagreed on eleven that dealt with issues like creating provinces and promotion anomalies.
3. Regarding judicial reforms, BNP supported 62 out of 89 key recommendations, partially agreed on nine, and provided reasoned objections to eighteen.
4. On electoral reforms, BNP agreed to 141 out of 243 proposals, partially accepted fourteen, and offered modified support on sixty-four, but disagreed with twenty-four proposals that they argued could undermine the Election Commission’s constitutional independence.
5. In constitutional reform discussions, BNP largely agreed with the 131 recommendations, notably conceding on the tenure of the Prime Minister and the controversial Article 70, even though such provisions are rare globally, purely to build consensus.
He stressed that BNP also agreed on issues like restoring the caretaker government system, updating the Ombudsman law, reforming electoral boundaries through constitutional amendments, and establishing permanent High Court benches in divisions, in consultation with the judiciary.
Mirza Fakhrul cautioned that many reform proposals BNP agreed to purely for consensus are extremely difficult to implement and may not achieve their intended goals. He reiterated that the consensus commission discussions are still ongoing and that new proposals are emerging that could significantly impact politics, the state, and parliamentary operations. “Any such major change must involve the people, who are the true owners of the state.”
He concluded by stating that after nearly one and a half decades of fighting autocracy, the BNP has not only survived but become stronger and more popular, with its unity forged through the blood of martyrs, enforced disappearances, killings, and immense sacrifices by countless leaders and activists. “With this united strength and long experience of governance, BNP is determined to restore democracy and prevent the resurgence of autocracy and fascism.”
Also speaking at the press conference, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed made it clear that BNP does not support the idea of forming a National Constitutional Council as proposed by the consensus commission, calling it “unclear” and inconsistent with democratic principles.
