BNP disappointed with the activities of the interim government and the National Consensus Commission: Salahuddin Ahmed

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expressed deep disappointment with the various activities of the National Consensus Commission and the interim government. Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the party's standing committee, made the comments at a seminar organized at the capital's Hotel Lakeshore on Wednesday (October 29).

He alleged that the commission's activities and decisions did not reflect BNP's opinion or consensus. "The document signed on the 17th has no similarity with the implementation of the July Charter," said Salahuddin Ahmed. He questioned, "It was said that decisions would be taken on the basis of consensus. Then why did we discuss it for so long, if in the end, decisions were taken outside that consensus?"

The BNP leader said that the commission's proposals would create division and disunity among the nation instead of national consensus. “The National Consensus Commission’s aim was to establish unity, but their proposal seems to be producing the opposite result,” he commented.

Salahuddin Ahmed further said, “The issues that were signed in the July Charter are not in the final proposal. Rather, the proposals of the commission and some specific parties have been included. This shows that there is no transparency or reflection of a joint decision here.”

He also expressed dissatisfaction with the decision regarding the RPO (Representation of the People Order) and the alliance’s symbol. He alleged, “The allied political parties have not been given the opportunity to use their symbols independently. Rather, it has been unilaterally said that the allied parties will elect with their own symbols. This is a completely undemocratic decision.”

He further expressed surprise, “It is even more surprising when I see that another political party is supporting this decision. This is not political courtesy, but an insult to the democratic process.”

The BNP standing committee member said, “The current government is in charge of the interim government. The people expect them to act impartially and ensure equal opportunities for all. But so far, there is no indication of that in the government’s activities.”

Salahuddin Ahmed concluded by saying, “BNP is deeply disappointed with the various steps taken by the National Consensus Commission and the government. Ensuring a democratic process and an environment for fair elections is the biggest challenge now.”