The chairman of the Constitution Amendment Committee and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said that the government wants to reform the constitution based on consensus, which will fulfill the overall people's expectations.
He said that whatever is needed for the new journey of Bangladesh and democratic reform of the state structure will be contained in the constitution.
He said this while exchanging views with the reporters on the eve of the first meeting of the Constitution Amendment Committee at the National Parliament Building on Tuesday.
The Home Minister said, “It has been decided to officially start discussions with the opposition parties and the date and schedule will be determined soon. Although the opposition party was supposed to give five names, we have not received them yet. However, we hope that they will understand that and send their names. Just as opposition party members will be welcomed if they come to the meeting and speak, their suggestions given in writing outside the meeting will also be taken seriously and an acceptable amendment proposal and report will be prepared.”
In response to the question of whether there are any major challenges in the way of amending the constitution, Salahuddin Ahmed said, “We do not see it as a challenge but as an expectation. This committee is working to create a strong democratic Bangladesh by taking into heart the mass uprising of the students and the masses, the blood of martyrs and the great aspirations of the nation. Constitutional reform is the first step to embody this strong democratic system.”
He also said that if not only politicians but also people from all walks of life and professional organizations express interest, discussions will be held with everyone in stages.
“As a result, a specific time frame for completing the discussions cannot be set right now. The issues collected in the 'July National Charter' as a document of political consensus and the issues on which there were notes of dissent will be considered. In addition, the committee is moving towards reforming the constitution that is universally acceptable by including the government party's own election manifesto and other important issues,” he added.
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