BNP on Tuesday proposed that the Chief Justice be appointed from among the top two to three most senior judges of the Appellate Division to avoid the possibility of controversial appointments in the future.
The proposal came during a dialogue on Tuesday with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad.
Speaking to the media during the session's lunch break, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed explained the party’s position.
"The Reform Commission has recommended that the most senior judge of the Supreme Court be appointed Chief Justice. We disagree. Based on past inconsistencies in state affairs, we believe that if only one option is fixed and no alternatives exist, it may pave the way for controversial individuals to assume the role. As we aim to ensure complete judicial independence, such risks should be eliminated,” he said.
Salahuddin said that there should be at least two or three alternatives among the senior-most judges of the Appellate Division. "That space is yet to be accepted. Discussions are still going on," he added.
Citing the principle of necessity, he said, “Necessity makes law. National security is the supreme law to us. It is practical to keep some options available, as otherwise the state might fall into undesirable hands.”
On the issue of the Cabinet's structure, Salahuddin mentioned differences in interpretation. "They said the Cabinet would be collectively led by the Prime Minister, but this undermines the Prime Minister’s authority. We argued that the Prime Minister’s authority must be clearly upheld."
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Regarding the Reform Commission’s proposal to limit a person to serving as Prime Minister for a maximum of two terms, BNP disagreed.
The party suggests that a person may return to the post after a break following two terms. But in a previous meeting, the discussion leaned towards allowing a person to serve three terms in total, which BNP has reportedly taken positively. “Wait for the alternative proposal. They haven’t formally presented it to us yet,” said Salahuddin.
About the separation of leadership roles, he said, "There was discussion around ensuring that one individual does not simultaneously hold the positions of Prime Minister, party chief, and parliamentary leader. The parliamentary party of the majority party in the House should decide who becomes Prime Minister. It is not mandatory for the party head to hold that post. There are global examples of this."
"Whoever becomes Prime Minister should also serve as Leader of the House. This is a tradition. Although some countries have separated these roles, the Leader of the House here holds no executive power, and the two roles are essentially inseparable," he added.
On the topic of a non-partisan caretaker government, Salahuddin said BNP agreed with proposals for a 14-member advisory council, routine duties of the council, and that in the event of the Chief Advisor’s resignation, one of the advisors would be nominated to the post.
The party also agreed that no political symbols would be allotted in local government elections.
Regarding law enforcement and human rights, he said, “We are broadly in agreement but more discussion is needed. The armed forces, police, and other units are constitutionally defined as disciplined forces. So any abrupt provision could cause imbalance. This needs careful consideration.”
Salahuddin also spoke in favour of a bicameral legislature. “We support a two-chamber Parliament. They have proposed the name 'Senate' for the upper house and 'Jatiya Sangsad' for the lower. We agree.”
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On women’s representation, BNP supports reserving 100 of the 400 lower house seats for women but expressed differing views on the election method for those seats.
Salahuddin Ahmed also said BNP proposed increasing the President’s powers. “We’re considering what specific powers can be entrusted to the President that may be exercised independently of the Prime Minister. Details will be disclosed later.”