SAJJAD HOSSAIN

The ruling BNP will once again ask the opposition to join a special parliamentary committee on constitutional amendments in line with the July National Charter when parliament’s second session begins on June 7.

BNP leaders said the party was waiting for a formal response from the opposition to its earlier proposal. If the opposition rejects it or continues to withhold a decision, the matter will be raised again in the upcoming session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad.

The BNP high command has informally learned that the opposition parties have decided to reject the ruling party’s proposal, party sources said.

Talking to The Daily Star, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, also the home minister, said, “We will once again raise the issue in the next parliamentary session. If they don’t respond, then we’ll discuss it in our parliamentary party meeting to reach a decision.”

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said there was no constitutional alternative to the proposed parliamentary committee. “We will still ask the opposition what other constitutional methods there can be as an alternative. If they can provide any new insight, then we will consider it and arrive at a decision.”

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