TDS Desk:

An elected parliament is better suited for formulating a new constitution or implementing its necessary reforms, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Saturday.

“Nothing is impossible, but the matter is difficult indeed,” Fakhrul told a questioner while addressing a press conference at BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office in Dhaka this afternoon.

About the jurisdiction of the present administration to formulate a constitution or reform, the BNP leader said the interim government should have formed a revolutionary way without taking oath under the existing constitution.

“But that hasn’t happened. The interim government has taken oath under the current constitution, so any amendments must be made in accordance with the existing constitution,” he said.

However, Fakhrul said that some members of his party are working to identify which sections of the constitution need to be amended.

The interim government has already formed a Constitution Commission headed by Bangladeshi American political scientist Ali Riaz replacing Eminent Jurist Dr Shahdeen Malik.

Referring to the commission, he said, “Those entrusted with the task are undoubtedly experts of the highest quality. They will perform excellently, but the people’s wishes must be reflected in their work.”

During the informal discussion, Fakhrul addressed various questions, including those on the interim government, its tenure, the government’s reform activities such as constitutional amendments, the return of Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh, and the conflict between the Pahari and Bengali communities in the Chattogram Hill Tracts.

A Constituent Assembly should be formed to bring change to the constitution

Responding to a query, he said, “I believe that we need to engage with the people to understand what changes they want in the Constitution and how they expect those changes.”

“But, a Constituent Assembly is a must if we want to bring any change to the constitution. Alongside the people’s opinions, we must follow the legal aspects in this regard,” said the BNP leader.