National Consensus Commission has preliminary decided that one person should not simultaneously hold the positions of Prime Minister, party chief, and Leader of the House.

The decision was announced on Tuesday (July 22) during the 17th day of the second phase of dialogue with political parties, held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

Commission Vice-Chair Dr Ali Riaz said that most political parties supported the proposal to separate the Prime Minister’s role from party leadership. 

However, BNP and its like-minded allies expressed disagreement. Those opposing the idea will be allowed to include their objections in the final national charter as a ‘note of dissent’, he said.

In contrast, parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami and the Nationalist Citizens’ Party (NCP) voiced support for separating the roles of Prime Minister and party chief.

Dr Riaz added that those with objections are encouraged to submit their dissent formally and may request the commission to reconsider the decision. 

MSK/