Nahid calls for Constitutional Reform Council

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has alleged that the idea of “constitutional continuity” is being used as a pathway to revive Awami League politics in the country.

Speaking at a national convention held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh on Sunday, he claimed that under the framework of the 1972 Constitution, space is being created for the ideological and political return of the Awami League.

He said such continuity is allowing the party’s political structure and ideology to re-emerge in different forms, and accused the BNP of indirectly contributing to this process, whether knowingly or unknowingly.

Nahid Islam called for the formation of a constitutional reform council to ensure a more stable and sustainable political transition. He said Bangladesh has struggled for decades to establish democracy despite repeated sacrifices. He warned that frustration among citizens could increase if promised reforms are not implemented, noting that those who supported change through a referendum now expect visible outcomes.

Criticising the current parliamentary process, he said important reform discussions have been sidelined and cautioned that continued inaction could push people toward street-based political movements.
“If this continues, the streets will become the only path for the people,” he said.

He also proposed several institutional reforms, including the introduction of a bicameral parliament, referendums for constitutional amendments, depoliticisation of state institutions, and a consensus-based caretaker government system.

On constitutional changes, he argued that mere amendments would not be sufficient and stressed that any alteration to fundamental principles must be based on broad national consensus.