Reform council issue to be taken to streets if unresolved in parliament: Jamaat ameer
Referring to the government’s position that there is no provision in the constitution for a constitutional reform council, Shafiqur Rahman said there was also no election in 2026 under the constitution, and it took place through a presidential order.
Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Sunday said the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance wants the issue of the constitutional reform council to be resolved in parliament, but warned they would take to the streets if the matter is not settled there.
Speaking to reporters at the parliament gate after the adjournment of the day's business of the Parliament, he said the alliance would first pursue the matter through parliamentary procedures.
"Following the Speaker's request, we will submit a notice. We want the issue to be resolved inside parliament. But if, for any reason, a normal solution is not reached there, we will have to go to the streets with a movement," he said.
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However, he added that they prefer a parliamentary solution. "We do not want that situation. Since we have raised the issue and the Speaker asked us to submit a notice after considering it, the matter can proceed in that process," he said.
Responding to a question about the proposal by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed to discuss the issue at a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee, the opposition leader said they do not consider it a matter for that committee.
"We believe this is a matter for parliament. It should be resolved in parliament," he said.
Referring to the government's position that there is no provision in the constitution for a constitutional reform council, Shafiqur Rahman said there was also no election in 2026 under the constitution, and it took place through a presidential order.
"One part of that order goes beyond the constitution and you accept it, but if another part goes beyond the constitution you do not accept it? If you do not accept it, then reject both. If you accept it, then accept both," he said.
He said the people's will is the supreme constitution and that the reform issue was decided through a referendum in which both the government and the opposition agreed to participate.
"Our demand was to hold the referendum first, while the government wanted it on the same day. Their demand was implemented. They never said they did not want a referendum," he added.
Replying to a question on whether he believes the government will eventually accept their demand, he said, "We want to believe so."
