The special committee on constitutional amendments held its maiden meeting at the parliament building on Tuesday without representatives from opposition parties Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party (NCP).
The 12-member panel had sought nominees from opposition parties, but they have not yet submitted their names. Political circles have said opposition parties favour broader reforms through a full-fledged constitutional reform commission rather than amendments under the current initiative.
Despite the absence of opposition representatives, the committee held its first meeting, with the government maintaining that the process would remain open to all stakeholders and reforms would be based on consensus.
Committee Chairman Salahuddin Ahmed, also the home minister, said amendments would be brought to the Constitution based on public expectations, democratic reforms of the state structure and political consensus.
“We want to adopt amendments based on consensus that will fulfil the expectations of the people. All democratic reforms needed in the Constitution in line with Bangladesh’s new journey and the evolution of the state structure will be incorporated,” he told journalists before the meeting.
On opposition participation, Salahuddin said formal discussions would be held after dates were fixed. “We have not yet received the names of the five members that the opposition parties were supposed to nominate for inclusion in the committee,” he said.
He added that opinions would also be taken from other opposition parties, MPs, experts, professionals and civil society representatives to prepare an acceptable amendment proposal and final report.
Salahuddin said the committee was facing expectations rather than challenges, adding that democratic values must be strengthened in the Constitution.
On the ‘July National Charter’, he said agreement had been reached on most of its 48 points. “Those issues will receive importance during discussions on constitutional amendments. Issues where there are notes of dissent will remain in their current form,” he said.
The meeting was attended by committee members including Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam MP; Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman MP; Home Affairs Committee Chairman Zainul Abedin MP; and Planning State Minister Md Jonaed Abdur Rahim Saki MP, among others.
