Government and Opposition Clash Over Constitutional Amendment Process, Opposition Plans Street Movement

PNN News Desk | Dhaka

Political differences between the government and opposition parties over the process of amending the Constitution have become more visible.

While the government supports bringing amendments within the existing constitutional framework through a special committee formed by the National Parliament, opposition parties remain firm in demanding the formation of a Constitution Reform Council and have announced plans to intensify movements both inside and outside parliament.

According to government sources, the special committee formed by parliament will collect opinions from political parties, experts, and relevant stakeholders to bring necessary changes to the Constitution.

Based on the committee’s recommendations, the government plans to place the 18th Constitutional Amendment Bill in parliament.

Last Monday, a 12-member special committee was formed in parliament with Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed as its chairman. Although the committee was supposed to have 17 members, five positions remain vacant as the opposition did not submit names despite being invited to nominate representatives.

When the proposal to form the committee was placed in parliament, opposition lawmakers rejected it and staged a walkout. The proposal was later passed through a voice vote in their absence.

Explaining the government’s position, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said in parliament that there is currently no constitutional provision for a Constitution Reform Council. Therefore, necessary legal grounds must first be created through constitutional amendments.

He said such a system could be introduced in the future based on political consensus, but constitutional amendment is necessary first.

On the other hand, opposition parties said that forming a Constitution Reform Council was a national commitment according to the verdict given by the people through a referendum.

They claimed that moving forward through a special committee instead of implementing that commitment ignores the spirit of the referendum.

Opposition Chief Whip and NCP Convener Nahid Islam said fundamental and long-term state reforms are not possible without a Constitution Reform Council.

He alleged that the government’s decision has pushed the country towards new political and constitutional uncertainty.

Leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami have also reiterated a similar position. They said the Constitution Reform Council is the only acceptable method to implement the July National Charter and the people’s verdict through the referendum.

They announced that political programmes would continue across the country alongside parliamentary opposition.

Meanwhile, Islami Andolan Bangladesh lawmaker Md. Oliullah, who was included in the special committee, claimed that he was made a member without prior permission.

He said his party supports the formation of a Constitution Reform Council and that public opinion cannot be ignored.

Opposition alliance leaders said they would continue opposing the special committee in parliament and expand street movements demanding implementation of the July National Charter and referendum verdict.

Political analysts believe that the disagreement between the government and opposition over the constitutional amendment process could become one of the most discussed issues in national politics in the coming days.

Attention will now be focused on whether both sides move towards dialogue or further intensify their positions through political programmes.