Monday, 28 Jul, 2025

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BNP walks out of Consensus Commission meeting

Senior Correspondent  | banglanews24.com
Update: 2025-07-28 12:49:21
BNP walks out of Consensus Commission meeting Salahuddin Ahmed

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has walked out of a meeting of the National Consensus Commission, raising concerns that proposals to limit executive authority are undermining the functionality of the state. 

Party leaders left the session shortly after it began.

The meeting is being held on Monday (July 28) at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, marking the 20th day of the commission’s second-phase dialogue.

Commission sources said BNP’s representatives walked out specifically during discussions on the constitutional framework for appointing key oversight officials—including the Public Service Commission (PSC), Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), and Ombudsman.

BNP leaders objected to what they described as overreach in curtailing executive powers, arguing that such constraints could paralyze state institutions. However, the party has confirmed it will participate in future sessions.

Speaking to reporters after the walkout, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said, “We already compromised from our original position and agreed on the formation of an Election Commission. We also accepted a term limit of 10 years for the post of Prime Minister. But if the executive branch is shackled at every point, how will the state function? That is why we walked out of today’s session.”

The commission did not issue an immediate official response. However, leaders from other political parties present said the dialogue would lose legitimacy without the BNP’s continued involvement.

According to the commission, today's agenda also included proposals to increase women’s representation in Parliament.

Earlier, Commission Vice Chair Professor Ali Riaz stated that unresolved issues would be revisited in the current round of talks. He noted that significant progress had already been made on several major issues.

The commission has revised its initial proposals multiple times to foster political consensus. So far, agreement has been reached on 12 key points.

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