Dhaka: The ruling party BNP remains confident that opposition lawmakers will eventually join the proposed special parliamentary committee on constitutional amendments, Chief Whip Nurul Islam said on Sunday. ‘We will work through discussions with them (the opposition). They will definitely join the special committee,’ he told reporters after a meeting on renewable energy management at the Parliament.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman proposed in parliament the formation of a 17-member special committee for constitutional reforms on April 29 and requested the opposition to nominate five members. Responding to queries about the opposition’s delay in submitting names, Nurul Islam explained that the opposition MPs are first-time lawmakers and need time to understand parliamentary procedures.
Nurul Islam expressed his confidence, attributing it to his long parliamentary experience. ‘You may ask why I am so confident. I am confident because I have been in parliament four or five times before. I know that in the end they will join. Ultimately, this is what they will do. The issue will be resolved through dialogue,’ he stated.
The Chief Whip also underscored the inevitability of constitutional amendments, pointing out that Bangladesh’s Constitution has already undergone multiple revisions. ‘There are 153 articles in the Constitution. Suppose we amend 50 of them – what will happen to the remaining 100? They will still remain in the Constitution. At the end of the day, amendments must be made. There is no alternative,’ he noted.
He emphasized that constitutional amendments are a global norm, citing examples from the United States and India. ‘There is no example in the world where a constitution is simply discarded and replaced unless there is a revolution, a mass uprising, or independence. The constitutions of the United States and India have been amended many times. Bangladesh’s Constitution has also been amended 17 times, and this process will continue,’ he remarked.
Addressing questions about the repeal of 16 ordinances related to enforced disappearances and human rights, issued during the tenure of the interim government, Nurul Islam indicated that these ordinances would be revised and reintroduced in parliament. ‘The 16 ordinances will be brought back to parliament after further scrutiny and strengthening. Those that can be tabled during the current budget session will be presented now; otherwise, they will be introduced in a later session,’ he explained.
Discussing the parliament’s infrastructure, the Chief Whip revealed plans to consult with globally recognized suppliers for a durable sound system to be installed, with input from the opposition leader. Additionally, he highlighted the government’s renewable energy plans, with the parliament complex selected as a pilot site for solar energy generation.
‘The Prime Minister has said parliament should become the centre of resolving all national problems. As a symbol of that commitment, we have chosen parliament as the pilot project for solar power generation by installing solar panels on its rooftop,’ he mentioned.
Nurul Islam also noted that the government is increasingly focusing on renewable energy to achieve long-term energy self-sufficiency, with plans to install solar panels on all government buildings at district and upazila levels. Lastly, he mentioned ongoing discussions about limiting visitor access during parliamentary sessions due to security concerns. ‘It turns into a crowded marketplace here sometimes. Considering security issues, discussions are underway to limit the number of visitors during parliamentary sessions,’ he said.