Parliament debate over constitutional reform council

A heated debate broke out in the national parliament over the formation of a constitutional reform council, involving Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman.

The issue was raised during an unscheduled discussion on Sunday when Shafiqur Rahman expressed concern that the council’s session had not been convened within the timeframe mentioned in the July National Charter implementation order.

According to him, the directive required the council to hold its session within 30 days after the election results were announced. However, that deadline has already passed without any official move to convene the council.

Rahman also noted that the current parliament was formed following the July political uprising and established through a presidential order on November 13, 2025, rather than through a conventional electoral process.

He added that 77 opposition members had already taken oath as members of the proposed constitutional reform council under the July directive and therefore should be allowed to serve in both capacities.

Responding to the claim, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed argued that the constitution does not contain any provision for such a council. Therefore, the prime minister cannot advise the president to convene it, nor can the president call a session without constitutional backing.

He further stated that the July National Charter implementation order is neither a law nor an ordinance but rather a political directive.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed later said the matter was important but could not be resolved immediately. He advised the opposition leader to submit a formal notice so that the issue could be considered according to parliamentary rules.