Dhaka, Aug 21 (V7N) — The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expressed its disagreement with granting the July National Charter precedence over the Constitution and opposes any commitment to shield the charter from judicial scrutiny. The party maintains that constitutional reforms endorsed through national consensus should not be implemented before the next general election but rather through the upcoming parliament.
 
BNP's stance was conveyed on Wednesday to the National Consensus Commission during the final day for submitting party opinions on the draft of the integrated July Charter. Alongside the BNP, four other political parties also submitted their views on the draft on the same day.
 
According to party sources, BNP supports constitutional reforms based on dialogue and consensus but considers any attempt to prioritize a political declaration above the nation’s fundamental law to be legally untenable and politically counterproductive.
 
The July Charter, which aims to guide the country toward a democratic transition through reform commitments made by opposition alliances and civil society, has sparked debate over its legal standing and enforceability. The draft includes provisions suggesting immunity from judicial challenges, which BNP has strongly opposed.
 
BNP has reiterated its call for a neutral interim government to oversee the next election, arguing that only a representative parliament elected through a credible process can undertake meaningful constitutional amendments.
 
The National Consensus Commission is expected to finalize the draft based on the opinions received and announce its revised framework by the end of August.
 
END/SMA/AJ/