National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhter Hossen has accused the BNP of taking contradictory positions on the referendum, saying the party is now seeking a fresh referendum after previously participating in one and campaigning for a “Yes” vote.
Speaking at a discussion organised at the NCP central office on Tuesday evening, Akhter said the “Yes” side had won the referendum, but alleged that the BNP was now refusing to accept its outcome.
He claimed that the BNP leadership had earlier questioned the need for a referendum, saying that public money should instead be spent on issues such as fair prices for agricultural produce and employment.
The BNP later participated in the referendum and campaigned for a “Yes” vote, Akhter said.
“Now we are hearing that they want to hold another referendum through the constitutional amendment committee,” he said.
Akhter alleged that the BNP’s current position was inconsistent with its earlier stance. He claimed the party wanted a referendum on reforms that would reflect its preferred approach to running the state rather than implementing the people’s mandate.
NCP to skip constitutional amendment committee
Akhter also criticised the ongoing process of constitutional reform.
He alleged that while several political parties participated in discussions under the National Consensus Commission, the current process gives the BNP a greater role in proposing and deciding on reforms.
According to Akhter, the NCP will not participate in the parliamentary special committee on constitutional amendments.
“We are making it clear that the National Citizen Party will not participate in that constitutional amendment committee,” he said, adding that the committee did not have a mandate from the people.
The NCP leader called for the formation of a constitutional reform council to implement the referendum’s outcome.
“If the constitutional issues have to be resolved, they should be addressed through the formation of a constitutional reform council,” he said.
The BNP has proposed holding a referendum on two constitutional provisions, including the caretaker government system, according to Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, who chairs the parliamentary special committee on constitutional amendments.
