PM's term limit to curb path to autocracy: Salahuddin

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed today (26 June) said limiting the prime minister's tenure to 10 years will help curb autocracy and fascism, expressing the hope that the ongoing talks will lead to a national consensus on reforms.

"Many of you have talked a lot about reforms here. But no one has expressed disappointment because we are all optimistic," he told a discussion.

The BNP leader said the National Consensus Commission is taking much time for discussions on the reform proposals. "But I believe we will be able to reach a consensus at one point."

He said the nation has already seen what considerations the BNP has taken in the national interest to come to a consensus. "We have said that no person can sit as the prime minister of Bangladesh for more than 10 years. Through this, the emergence of dictatorship and fascism has been stopped."

He went on to say, "Isn't it a great achievement of ours that we limited the term of the prime minister to 10 years?"

Nagorik Oikya arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its 13th founding anniversary.

Salahuddin, a BNP Standing Committee member, said all the constitutional and democratic institutions of the state must be built on a strong foundation as a safeguard for democracy.

He said freedom of the press is also necessary for safeguarding and consolidating democracy. "A country where press freedom is 100% is a country where democracy is 100%… We all, from the political parties and the government, will cooperate to ensure press freedom."

The BNP leader said all organs of the state should be allowed to operate independently within their legal and constitutional jurisdiction, instead of limiting the authority of any one. "There should be harmonious cooperation among all the organs of the state."