Political parties on Sunday remained divided over the government’s initiative to implement constitutional amendments, with Khelafat Majlis demanding an all-party Constitutional Reform Council, Islami Andolan Bangladesh refusing to join a consultation meeting, and Rastro Sangskar Andolan walking out in protest.

The parliamentary special committee on constitutional amendments, chaired by home minister Salahuddin Ahmed, held consultations with political parties at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

 
Sixteen political parties joined the meeting, while Rastro Sangskar Andolan left after protesting the formation of an amendment committee instead of a Constitutional Reform Council.

At an emergency press briefing, Khelafat Majlis secretary general Ahmad Abdul Kader said the government was attempting to replace the public mandate for comprehensive constitutional reform with a limited amendment process.

 
He said the July National Charter had been signed following the July mass uprising of 2024 to ensure justice, a neutral election, and state reforms.

According to him, the referendum required 30 key reform proposals to be incorporated into the constitution without changes. These included the introduction of a caretaker government during elections, restructuring constitutional institutions, establishing a bicameral parliament with a 100-member upper house, and ensuring judicial independence.

He also demanded the restoration of ‘faith and trust in Almighty Allah’ as a fundamental principle of the constitution, stating it had been a longstanding demand of Khelafat Majlis and other Islamic parties.

Ahmad Abdul Kader alleged that elected lawmakers were supposed to take oath simultaneously as members of a Constitutional Reform Council in line with the referendum verdict.

‘The people’s mandate was for fundamental changes to the constitution through comprehensive reforms. But the government is trying to deceive the public by forming a nominal Constitutional Amendment Committee instead of a Constitutional Reform Council,’ he said.

Khelafat Majlis subsequently announced a boycott of the special committee’s consultation meeting in protest.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh also declined to attend the meeting.

In a statement, the party said it had been invited to the consultation with political parties and alliances that signed the July Charter, but would not participate in an attempt to amend the constitution according to the government’s wishes while ignoring the referendum decision.

It added that constitutional reforms must be carried out in accordance with the July Charter and the referendum verdict.

Meanwhile, Rastro Sangskar Andolan chief coordinator Hasnat Quayum said his party had joined the meeting to protest the formation of the amendment committee.

He said the party wanted the authorities to use the existing 180-working-day timeframe to reach consensus and implement the reforms.

‘Our demand is that a reform council should complete and implement the reforms on the basis of consensus within these 180 working days,’ he said.

Quayum said his party had conveyed its position in writing and decided to walk out because the authorities were proceeding with an amendment committee instead of a reform council.