Opposition must join constitutional reform, not just seek its share: Home minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has urged the opposition to participate in the constitutional amendment process to implement the July National Charter instead of only demanding parliamentary committee chairmanships or its political share.

"Implementing the July National Charter will require constitutional amendments, and the opposition must participate in that process," he said, adding that the reforms should be implemented through discussions and debates inside parliament.

The minister made the remarks today (3 September) during a discussion on a proposal from Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman in parliament. The session was chaired by the deputy speaker.

Earlier, Shafiqur Rahman said the home minister's claim that there was no precedent for opposition lawmakers serving as chairpersons of parliamentary standing committees was not entirely accurate.

He pointed out that two opposition lawmakers had chaired standing committees during the ninth parliament.

Shafiqur said the government and the prime minister had pledged to implement the July National Charter "to the letter". The opposition also wants the charter implemented and has no objection to how the process is carried out, he said.

In response, Salahuddin said he was not denying that two opposition lawmakers had chaired standing committees during the ninth parliament.

Rather, the current government had followed a similar precedent by appointing opposition Deputy Leader Abdullah Mohammad Taher as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, he said.

The home minister said implementing the July National Charter was a government commitment, but the opposition also needed to come forward and participate in the process.

"The July National Charter will be implemented and the Constitution will be amended. Participate in the Constitutional Amendment Committee and present your views there," Salahuddin said.

He said a constitutional amendment bill would be placed before parliament as soon as possible. The bill would provide for implementation of the July National Charter as well as the establishment of an upper house of parliament, he added.

Urging the opposition to cooperate, Salahuddin said, "It is not enough to demand your share under the July National Charter; you also have to come forward to cooperate."

"Let us sit together, amend the Constitution and implement the July National Charter. Accordingly, you will get everything," he said.

The minister said the opposition's call for "reform" and the government's reference to "amendments" essentially concerned the same issue.

However, the process must take place inside parliament, he said.

"Whatever political statements are made outside, everyone must sit together in the parliament and reach decisions through debate," Salahuddin said.