While several political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, and Islami Andolan, demand a legal basis for the July Charter, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) argues it transcends legal formalities. During a break on the 23rd day of dialogue with the National Consensus Commission at the Foreign Service Academy on Thursday, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters, “The charter reflects the sovereign will of the people, a commitment rooted in national consensus. It is above the law, embodying the legitimate expectations of the masses.”Salahuddin noted that the draft of the July National Charter-2025, sent by the commission, contained minor wording inconsistencies, which the BNP revised. The charter commits to implementing its promises within two years of government formation, a timeline the BNP supports.
“We’ve pledged to enshrine these commitments in the Constitution, laws, rules, and regulations,” he said, emphasising that the charter, to be signed by the commission and all political parties, represents a “sovereign matter” stemming from mass uprisings and student movements.
He proposed including it in the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution to recognise its constitutional validity.
On the proposed upper house, Salahuddin clarified that it would review and recommend changes to bills but lack authority to amend the Constitution. “Since upper house members are not directly elected, granting them constitutional amendment powers would undermine democracy,” he said, adding that only directly elected MPs in the lower house should hold such authority.
The BNP proposed a shared legislative process, with the upper house reviewing laws and the lower house making final decisions.
Salahuddin firmly rejected suggestions that the upper house, with unelected or indirectly elected members via proportional representation (PR), could centralise power or complicate constitutional amendments.
Addressing Article 70, Salahuddin said the BNP’s proposal to allow MPs to vote freely in presidential elections, without party pressure, was accepted. “MPs from both houses will elect the president through secret ballots,” he explained.
The BNP also suggested expanding the President’s powers beyond appointing the Prime Minister and Chief Justice under Article 48(3), with details to be finalized later.
On the caretaker government issue, Salahuddin said discussions continue on whether an interim provision can be included, with the commission to decide. Regarding fundamental rights, the BNP is exploring adding modern rights, such as internet access, to the Constitution’s self-enforceable rights (Articles 26–47). “Any new right must be added cautiously, as citizens can legally demand their enforcement under Article 44,” he noted.
Salahuddin endorsed the commission’s proposal to incorporate equality, human dignity, social justice, democracy, religious freedom, and harmony into the state’s fundamental principles via the Fifth Amendment, though objections from some parties delay a final decision.