Dhaka: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expressed its desire to prevent any controversial figures from being appointed as Chief Justice. The party has proposed that one of the three most senior judges of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court should be mandatorily appointed to the position. This opinion was shared by Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the party’s Standing Committee, during ongoing talks with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Judicial Reforms Commission has recommended appointing the senior most judge of the Supreme Court as the Chief Justice, a proposal the BNP disagrees with. Salahuddin Ahmed stated that while the BNP concurs with a two-thirds parliamentary vote for presidential impeachment and the appointment of an Ombudsman, the party insists on having a selection from the three most senior judges for the Chief Justice role to avoid past inconsistencies and controversies.
The BNP has largely agreed with the recommendations of the commission, discussing governmental operations before various constitutional amendments. The party supports abolishing secularism and advocates for equality, human dignity, and social justice as fundamental rights. However, the BNP maintains that the Prime Minister should retain authority within the Council of Ministers, opposing proposals for a collectively run cabinet.
Salahuddin Ahmed also highlighted the party’s proposal to allow a Prime Minister to serve again after a break following two consecutive terms, though the BNP disagrees with separating the roles of party chief and parliamentary leader. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the tradition where the Prime Minister is also the leader of the parliament.
The BNP has agreed to a bicameral parliament structure, with the Senate as the upper house and the National Assembly as the lower house, comprising 400 seats, including 100 reserved for women. However, there remains a difference of opinion regarding the election method for these reserved seats.
Discussions also covered the BNP’s agreement on a caretaker government’s advisory council structure and the need for further deliberation on law enforcement’s human rights violations to ensure balance and constitutional alignment. The party expressed the need to increase the President’s powers, although details were withheld.
The talks, chaired by Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz, included participation from various commission members and BNP delegates, as the commission seeks to build consensus on key reform issues with political parties.