The National Consensus Commission has informed political parties that party chiefs will not be allowed to hold the position of prime minister. However, any party may register a “note of dissent” in the national charter if it disagrees with the decision.
This announcement was made by the Commission’s Vice Chairman Professor Ali Riaz during the 17th day of dialogue with political parties held Tuesday morning at the Foreign Service Academy.
He stated, “A majority of parties have agreed that party chiefs cannot hold the position of prime minister. Some parties, however, have expressed differing views. Those parties and alliances may record a note of dissent in the national charter.”
This proposal has been discussed over several days. Parties such as the BNP, its allies LDP, Labour Party, NDM, the 12-Party Alliance, the Nationalist Alliance, and the People’s Party supported allowing one individual to simultaneously serve as party chief, prime minister, and leader of the parliament.
On the other hand, parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP, among others, opposed the idea of making the party chief the prime minister.
On this point, Ali Riaz said, “The National Consensus Commission urges those interested in submitting a note of dissent to reconsider their stance. This is merely a request. However, consistent with past practice, such dissent can be officially recorded in the national charter. Please consider this as a formal decision.”
Calling for cooperation from the political parties, Ali Riaz added, “Time is very limited. In the coming days, it is essential that the signing of the July Charter be completed, and we need full cooperation from the parties to make that happen.”
Referring to the recent Bangladesh Air Force aircraft crash at a school in Uttara, Professor Ali Riaz stated, “We call on the government to provide appropriate compensation to those killed and injured, and to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. Effective steps must be taken to prevent such events in the future.”
At the beginning of the meeting, one minute of silence and prayers were held in memory of those killed in the plane crash. Commission member Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar read a condolence motion in this regard.
The motion urged the interim government to conduct a proper investigation into the crash, provide compensation for the deceased, and ensure free treatment for the injured. The proposal was then distributed to political party leaders present at the meeting for their signatures.
Today’s meeting is also expected to cover decisions based on party proposals regarding dual positions for the prime minister and the caretaker government system. In addition, discussions are to be held on appointments to the Election Commission, Public Service Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General, Anti-Corruption Commission, and the office of the Ombudsman.
Representatives from various political parties were present. National Consensus Commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Badiul Alam Majumdar, Emdadul Haque, Iftekharuzzaman, and Ayub Mia were also present at the meeting.