Dhaka, July 28 (V7N) – The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) staged a walkout from the National Consensus Commission meeting on Monday, refusing to participate in discussions surrounding key constitutional appointments.
The 20th session of the second phase of the Commission began in the morning at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. The agenda focused on mechanisms for appointing heads of four significant bodies: the Public Service Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Auditor General and Comptroller and Auditor General, and the Attorney General.
BNP representatives abstained from the session, walking out shortly after the meeting began. However, party sources confirmed that BNP will join future sessions, including upcoming discussions on women's representation in parliament.
At the outset of the meeting, Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz announced that a draft of the much-anticipated July Charter would be distributed to political parties by the end of the day. He clarified that the charter was still in draft form, with unresolved issues, including proposals to rebalance the powers of the presidency.
This walkout follows a similar protest by three political parties, including the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), on July 23. That symbolic walkout was in response to police action against students and parents protesting the plane crash incident at Milestone School and College in Uttara Diabari. CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince led the protest as that day’s session began.
The recent walkouts highlight the increasing tension and dissatisfaction among political stakeholders over the government's handling of national crises and institutional reform processes.
END/RH/AJ
Comment: