Friday, 07 November, 2025
BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday sharply criticised the growing desperation of some political parties to hold a referendum before the national election, warning that their unconstitutional manoeuvres are fuelling public suspicion about hidden motives.
Speaking at a discussion organised by Gonoforum at the Jatiya Press Club on ‘Bangladesh’s Constitution and Reform Proposals’, Khosru said it was entirely unacceptable for any party to bypass the constitution in pursuit of a referendum. “There is no provision for a referendum in the existing constitution. Any attempt to hold one without amending the constitution through Parliament is illegal and anti-democratic,” he said.
Khosru, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, stressed that while BNP had agreed to consider a referendum on the day of the national election as a gesture of political goodwill, the recent push to hold it beforehand is wholly unjustifiable. “This is neither constitutionally correct, nor morally or democratically defensible. What was intended as an act of political generosity has now backfired, creating confusion and raising serious questions in the public mind,” he said.
“The public is right to ask: why the urgency? Why the desperation to break the law and bypass constitutional procedures? One cannot help but suspect that there is an ill motive behind this reckless push,” Khosru added.
He reiterated that the constitution can only be amended through Parliament and under no circumstances can any individual or party act beyond it. “Those who have sworn to uphold the constitution cannot ignore it for political expediency,” he warned.
Khosru’s remarks underline rising tensions in Bangladesh’s political arena as parties attempt to manipulate constitutional processes ahead of the February national election, fuelling distrust and suspicion among voters.
“The current government has taken oath under the existing constitution, accepting its authority. That means the constitution is very much in force. So, any solution to the crisis must come within this constitutional framework. No one has the right to bring changes, amendments, or solutions outside it,” he added.
The BNP leader criticised the way some political parties are pushing the referendum idea by holding rallies and meetings. “This raises the question — do they really trust the people? Do they truly believe in democracy and the people’s ownership of the country?”
Khosru also said the Consensus Commission failed to achieve genuine national consensus as some parties issued notes of dissent on various issues.
“A note of dissent means there is no agreement on that issue. When there is no consensus, the chapter should close there. But now, even the disputed issues are being brought back in the name of referendum. This is misleading and undemocratic,” he said.
The BNP leader said only the points that had full agreement could move forward for discussion or signing of the charter.
Khosru raised serious concerns about the legitimacy of the Consensus Commission. “Who gave them the authority to sit for 14 months under an unelected government and make decisions affecting the nation?” he questioned.
He recalled that BNP and other democratic parties had struggled for 16–17 years, enduring persecution and making sacrifices to restore an elected government accountable to the people, not to empower an unelected group to decide national matters.
The BNP leader said the Commission appears to be following in the footsteps of the previous regime by attempting to impose decisions without clear authority. “Sheikh Hasina did this in the past, and now another group seems to be doing the same. Their mandate remains unclear,” he said.
Khosru warned that the public’s expectation of a new beginning after the Hasina era is being undermined. He also expressed concern over political parties advocating proportional representation and a referendum, suggesting their actions could delay or disrupt the upcoming election.
He urged all parties to respect constitutional processes and the people’s mandate. “Ultimately, sovereignty lies with the citizens. Decisions must be taken through Parliament via proper discussion and debate—the true democratic path,” he concluded.
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BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday sharply criticised the growing desperation of some political parties to hold a referendum before the national election, warning that their unconstitutional manoeuvres are fuelling public suspicion about hidden motives.
Speaking at a discussion organised by Gonoforum at the Jatiya Press Club on ‘Bangladesh’s Constitution and Reform Proposals’, Khosru said it was entirely unacceptable for any party to bypass the constitution in pursuit of a referendum. “There is no provision for a referendum in the existing constitution. Any attempt to hold one without amending the constitution through Parliament is illegal and anti-democratic,” he said.
Khosru, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, stressed that while BNP had agreed to consider a referendum on the day of the national election as a gesture of political goodwill, the recent push to hold it beforehand is wholly unjustifiable. “This is neither constitutionally correct, nor morally or democratically defensible. What was intended as an act of political generosity has now backfired, creating confusion and raising serious questions in the public mind,” he said.
“The public is right to ask: why the urgency? Why the desperation to break the law and bypass constitutional procedures? One cannot help but suspect that there is an ill motive behind this reckless push,” Khosru added.
He reiterated that the constitution can only be amended through Parliament and under no circumstances can any individual or party act beyond it. “Those who have sworn to uphold the constitution cannot ignore it for political expediency,” he warned.
Khosru’s remarks underline rising tensions in Bangladesh’s political arena as parties attempt to manipulate constitutional processes ahead of the February national election, fuelling distrust and suspicion among voters.
“The current government has taken oath under the existing constitution, accepting its authority. That means the constitution is very much in force. So, any solution to the crisis must come within this constitutional framework. No one has the right to bring changes, amendments, or solutions outside it,” he added.
The BNP leader criticised the way some political parties are pushing the referendum idea by holding rallies and meetings. “This raises the question — do they really trust the people? Do they truly believe in democracy and the people’s ownership of the country?”
Khosru also said the Consensus Commission failed to achieve genuine national consensus as some parties issued notes of dissent on various issues.
“A note of dissent means there is no agreement on that issue. When there is no consensus, the chapter should close there. But now, even the disputed issues are being brought back in the name of referendum. This is misleading and undemocratic,” he said.
The BNP leader said only the points that had full agreement could move forward for discussion or signing of the charter.
Khosru raised serious concerns about the legitimacy of the Consensus Commission. “Who gave them the authority to sit for 14 months under an unelected government and make decisions affecting the nation?” he questioned.
He recalled that BNP and other democratic parties had struggled for 16–17 years, enduring persecution and making sacrifices to restore an elected government accountable to the people, not to empower an unelected group to decide national matters.
The BNP leader said the Commission appears to be following in the footsteps of the previous regime by attempting to impose decisions without clear authority. “Sheikh Hasina did this in the past, and now another group seems to be doing the same. Their mandate remains unclear,” he said.
Khosru warned that the public’s expectation of a new beginning after the Hasina era is being undermined. He also expressed concern over political parties advocating proportional representation and a referendum, suggesting their actions could delay or disrupt the upcoming election.
He urged all parties to respect constitutional processes and the people’s mandate. “Ultimately, sovereignty lies with the citizens. Decisions must be taken through Parliament via proper discussion and debate—the true democratic path,” he concluded.
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