United News of Bangladesh

BNP Standing Committee member Hafizuddin Ahmed on Thursday said Bangladesh’s 1972 Constitution reflects the aspirations of people as it is a product of the Liberation War, not of the Awami League. He made the remarks at a discussion held at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 33rd founding anniversary of the Nationalist Freedom Fighters’ Party. After the Liberation War, Hafizuddin said, they had no personal desire and ambition for political power, which allowed the Awami League to assume power with India’s support. According to him, the Constitution drafted in 1972 embodies the aspirations of ordinary citizens and the Awami League’s presence during its formulation was incidental.  “So, the Constitution should not be regarded as the Awami League’s creation.” Hafizuddin, a veteran freedom fighter, criticised the current demand to discard Bangladesh’s 1972 constitution, calling it ‘completely pointless’. Speaking on the need for a free and fair election under an interim government, he said, “Those who have never witnessed the Liberation War claim the constitution must be thrown out and the July Charter placed above it. In 1971, we fought for democracy, yet it has still not been fully realised.” Hafizuddin also recalled that before the March 25, 1971 military crackdown, Tajuddin Ahmed had urged Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to declare independence. “He refused, saying he believed in an undivided Pakistan,” he said. Hafizuddin stressed that around the world, Constitutions are formulated by elected representatives, including in Bangladesh, and this principle must continue in the future, as no unelected people can amend the Constitution. He reiterated the need for a free and fair election under an interim government, stating that only elected representatives should decide the future form of Bangladesh’s Constitution. People in Bangladesh used to voting for individuals, not symbols: Hafizuddin He expressed concern that the current generation, which has never witnessed the Liberation War, fails to recognise the sacrifices made, and thus some advocate scrapping the Constitution and placing the July Accord above it, which he called entirely baseless. He reminded his audience that the 1971 war was fought to establish democracy—an ideal that has yet to be fully realised.

Amid calls for the removal of President Mohammed Shahabuddin, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said the nation does not expect a constitutional or political crisis from such actions. Talking to reporters at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, he urged all to remain alert to prevent the cohorts of fascism from causing trouble in the country through various plots. “The presidency is the highest constitutional position and it is also an institution. If this position becomes vacant due to resignation or removal, it will create a constitutional and national crisis,” he stated. President issue: BNP urges unity in talks with Dr Yunus The BNP leader also said if the path of transition to democracy is delayed or hindered through a state crisis, it will go against the nation’s desires. He urged everyone to stay alert to prevent the deposed fascists and their associates from causing chaos in the country through various plots. The BNP leader also emphasised that the nation stands united and is prepared to confront these challenges and plots together. When asked if the BNP seeks the President’s removal or resignation, Salahuddin replied, “Vacancy in the President's post would create a state and constitutional crisis at this moment, which the nation doesn’t expect. A group of students and people is demanding the resignation or removal of the President after Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, the chief editor of Manab Zamin, in an article in ‘Janatar Chokh’ claimed that the President told him that he had not received any resignation letter from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Rizvi accuses govt of 'hide and seek' over arrest of Hasina's ministers Subsequently, Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul accused the President of lying about not receiving Hasina’s resignation letter, suggesting that his statement constituted a breach of his oath of office. “The President’s claim that he did not receive Sheikh Hasina’s resignation letter is a lie and a violation of his oath,” Dr Asif asserted. Earlier in the day, BNP senior leaders, including Salahuddin, met Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus and called for strengthening national unity to foil any attempts to create a constitutional and political crisis. Speaking to reporters in front of the Chief Adviser's residence after the meeting, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan also said they will tackle any plots by the cohorts of the deposed fascist regime unitedly, together with all pro-democratic political parties and organisations. Nazrul, along with BNP Standing Committee members Amir Khosru Mahmud and Salahuddin Ahmed, met the Chief Adviser to discuss the latest political situation. The BNP leader said they discussed establishing a government of the people through a national election after completing the ongoing process of reforms. BNP for creating quick election environment  Asked whether the Chief Adviser sought any opinion from them about the removal of the President, Nazrul parried the question. He, however, said they urged all to remain cautious to ensure that a new constitutional or political crisis does not arise in the country.