"The BNP is not participating in the oath-taking of the Constitution Reform Council."

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced that it will not take the oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council today. This was confirmed on Tuesday (17 February) by BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed.

Speaking on the matter, Salahuddin clarified, “There is no provision to take an oath as a member of the Constitutional Reform Council prior to the amendment of the Constitution.” He emphasised that this position was communicated to highlight the party’s stance during the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected Members of Parliament.

According to Salahuddin, the decision was taken under the direction of the party chairman, Tarique Rahman. He added, “BNP adheres to the Constitution and will continue to do so in the days ahead.”

Salahuddin, who was elected as the BNP candidate from Cox’s Bazar–1 constituency, further explained, “None of us have been elected as members of the Constitutional Reform Council. Action can only be taken in this regard once the council is constitutionally established and formally recognised by Parliament. This decision comes from the party chairman.”

Illustrating the issue, he displayed official forms and noted, “Even if the Constitutional Reform Council is constituted, it must first be enshrined in the Constitution. Procedures regarding who will administer the oath to council members must also be legislated. Currently, there is no such provision in the Constitution.”

Later in the day, the oath-taking ceremony for BNP’s newly elected MPs was conducted by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), A M M Nasir Uddin, in line with constitutional requirements.

The party’s cautious approach underscores its insistence on strict adherence to constitutional procedures, particularly in the context of proposed amendments. Analysts suggest that BNP’s stance reflects broader political concerns over the legitimacy and timing of constitutional reforms and signals the party’s intent to monitor developments closely before participating in any new legislative bodies.

Key Points: BNP and Constitutional Reform Council

BNP’s decision highlights the party’s commitment to constitutional compliance and procedural correctness, even as discussions around potential reforms continue at the national level.