Dhaka: National Citizen Party convener Nahid Islam has criticised the appointment of National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman as Foreign Minister in the newly formed BNP government, stating it casts doubt on the impartiality of the national election and the interim administration. Talking to reporters after taking oath as Member of Parliament, Nahid said Khalilur's appointment in the cabinet of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) substantiates long-standing allegations of 'election engineering'.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Nahid expressed concern over the neutrality of the election process, highlighting that student advisers were asked to resign for impartiality, yet Khalilur Rahman's inclusion in the cabinet suggests he was biased while part of the interim government. Nahid alleged that BNP's strategic victories in several constituencies allowed them to secure a two-thirds majority, enabling them to complicate the constitutional reform process.
Nahid referred to the oath-taking ceremony, stating that members were scheduled to take oath as part of the Constitutional Reform Council at the same venue and before the same authority immediately after being sworn in as MPs. However, BNP lawmakers declined to take that oath, arguing that the Constitution does not provide a legal basis for such a council.
Nahid claimed this decision disregards the mandate of the referendum, as the July Charter clearly mentions the formation of a Constitutional Reform Council. By signing the charter and then refusing to take the oath, Nahid argued that the government broke its commitment on the first day. He warned that BNP's refusal to join the reform council has created new legal complications, as the July Charter provides the basis for both the council and the referendum's legitimacy.
Nahid urged BNP MPs to take oath in the Constitutional Reform Council without delay to resolve the crisis.