NCP Convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam emphasized the significance of establishing a Constitution Reform Council, asserting that the current parliament’s credibility hinges on its creation. Speaking at a press briefing held at the party’s Banglamotor headquarters, Nahid, who represents Dhaka-11 in parliament, highlighted the party’s decision to accept election results despite allegations of irregularities to uphold democratic principles and national stability.
Addressing the absence of ruling party MPs taking the oath as members of the Constitution Reform Council, Nahid criticized it as a betrayal of voters who supported reform initiatives. He stressed the importance of honoring the public’s desire for a reformed Bangladesh and urged ruling party members to promptly fulfill their obligations by joining the council.
Nahid criticized the composition of the new cabinet led by the BNP, pointing out a lack of inclusivity by neglecting representation from youth, women, and minority groups. Expressing disappointment in the cabinet’s average age of 60 and the dominance of businessmen in ministerial roles, he underscored the need for diverse representation to prevent conflicts of interest and promote broader perspectives.
He raised concerns about the appointment of a real estate businessman with a criminal record to a ministry with a significant budget, questioning the motives behind such decisions. Nahid cast doubt on the cabinet’s ability to combat corruption, suggesting it may be influenced by vested interests rather than genuine reform efforts.
Quoting Transparency International Bangladesh, Nahid highlighted the high percentage of BNP MPs with outstanding loans, criticizing their failure to repay substantial debts despite the government’s anti-corruption rhetoric. He questioned the rationale behind controversial appointments to key positions and warned against moves to expand party offices without proper authorization.
Nahid also expressed worries about potential threats to press freedom under the new administration, drawing parallels to past patterns of media control. He called for a conducive environment for dissent and urged the government to stabilize commodity prices ahead of Ramadan to ensure public access to essential goods.