Opposition walks out of parliament over constitution committee proposal

Opposition lawmakers staged a walkout from parliament, rejecting the treasury bench's initiative to establish a Special Parliamentary Committee on Amending the Constitution. The opposition cited that the proposed committee's formation disregards a prior referendum mandate and the July Charter.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni put forward the names of 12 members for the 17-seat committee, which was to be headed by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. Immediately after the names were presented, Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman announced the opposition's withdrawal from the chamber. He reiterated the party's initial opposition to submitting names for the committee, emphasizing their conceptual disagreement with the proposal.

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We have made our position clear. We never said we would submit names of members. Conceptually, we did not accept it.

Rahman stated, "We have made our position clear. We never said we would submit names of members. Conceptually, we did not accept it." He added that the opposition is committed to the nation and had previously urged voters to support the referendum, promising to implement its verdict. He asserted that ignoring a mandate, such as the 68.6 percent vote in the referendum, erodes public faith in democracy and could lead to rebellion.

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We hold that ignoring or insulting this public intent is unacceptable. Out of respect for the people's verdict, we will not join the committee, since this phase clearly shows their decision is not being honoured.

"We hold that ignoring or insulting this public intent is unacceptable. Out of respect for the people's verdict, we will not join the committee, since this phase clearly shows their decision is not being honoured," Rahman declared before announcing the walkout around 9:25 p.m. He argued that democracy requires respecting the people's will.

Earlier, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman had informed parliament that he and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed proposed the committee's formation. The ruling party had prepared a list of 12 members, including seven from the BNP and five from other parties and independent MPs, requesting the opposition to nominate the remaining five. The opposition holds 26 percent of the seats in parliament. The treasury bench had previously dismissed the July Charter Implementation Order as a "document of endless deceit and national betrayal."

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a document of endless deceit and national betrayal