"We Are Here for Constitutional Reform, Not Just Amendment," Says Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam

Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam delivered a poignant speech in the National Parliament on Sunday (March 29) night, asserting that the primary purpose of the current assembly is comprehensive "constitutional reform" rather than mere amendments. Addressing the House during the first session, Islam emphasized the political legitimacy and the foundational principles of the 13th Parliament.

Drawing the Speaker's attention, Nahid Islam called for impartiality in the distribution of floor time. "I have been seeking your attention for a significant period. We expect that there will be no discrimination when granting the floor to members," he stated, highlighting the need for a balanced debate between the treasury and opposition benches.

The Chief Whip's remarks came in the wake of an adjournment motion placed by the Leader of the Opposition. While the Law Minister and the Home Minister had already provided their explanations following the Speaker’s ruling, Islam insisted that the opposition must be given sufficient time to voice their perspectives, regardless of the session's tight schedule.

Central to his argument was the legal basis of the current legislature. He reminded the House that the 13th Parliament was formed through a combination of a National Referendum and General Elections, rooted in the "July Charter Implementation Order." He expressed grave concern over recent attempts to label this foundational order as unconstitutional.

"The mandate given by the people through the referendum is being disregarded. Trying to declare the very order that brought us here as unconstitutional is utterly unacceptable," Nahid Islam remarked. His speech underscores the brewing tension over the interpretation of constitutional mandates and the ongoing efforts to reform the state's legal framework in alignment with the spirit of the July uprising.