BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed has strongly criticized the National Consensus Commission, alleging that its final report fails to reflect the discussions held with political parties and does not align with the provisions of the July Charter signed on October 17.Speaking at a seminar held at a city hotel, Salahuddin said the charter only incorporates the Commission’s own proposals, omitting the recommendations made by political parties as well as the areas of consensus and dissent.
“The charter includes only the Commission’s proposals. It does not mention what the political parties recommended, where consensus was reached, or where notes of dissent were recorded,” he remarked.
The BNP leader said the document signed by political parties at the South Plaza of the National Parliament was supposed to represent the collective understanding reached through discussions with the Commission, but that consistency is “clearly missing.”
Salahuddin pointed out that the charter’s annexure includes a schedule proposing amendments to 48 articles of the Constitution, which are to be placed in a national referendum.
“If this was their plan all along, then what was the point of holding 11 months of discussions under the Commission?” he asked.
He further claimed that during the Commission’s deliberations, when political parties sought guarantees for the implementation of the charter, the BNP had proposed issuing a gazette notification to ensure it. Although most parties supported the proposal, the Commission later withdrew from that position, he alleged.
Reflecting on his experience with the Commission, Salahuddin said he often felt isolated, as if he were “the only one on the opposing side,” while the Commission and some parties seemed intent on imposing their own decisions.
He accused the Commission and certain political groups of trying to impose “unconsidered decisions” on the nation, adding that the BNP was standing firm as “the true representative of the people.”
Salahuddin also claimed that several issues now slated for a referendum had never been discussed within the Commission.
“I was the first to propose holding a referendum alongside the national election, and most political parties agreed then. But the 48 constitutional points now being set for referendum were never discussed with the Commission,” he stated.
Expressing concern over the current political direction, the BNP leader warned that the approaches taken by the Commission and the government would deepen political divisions rather than build consensus.
He also criticized the Election Commission’s recent decision requiring alliance members to contest elections under their own party symbols, terming it “undemocratic.”
Concluding his remarks, Salahuddin expressed hope that the interim government would function as a truly neutral caretaker administration and ensure fairness in all its actions.