The appearing chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) introduced a 27-point manifesto in December to deliver modifications within the structure and the political system. The BNP claims these modifications will usher in a “rainbow nation,” however there are evident errors within the technicalities of those proposals. Bangladesh should keep away from a Trojan horse.
To start with, the BNP received the spelling of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights fallacious; whereas the 27 factors confer with a Universal Human Rights Charter, which presumably isn’t the identical because the common declaration adopted by the United Nations in 1948.
The BNP claims that it needs to introduce time period limits for the president and prime minister. The structure already ensures a two-term restrict for the president in Article 50 (2), which is coming into play for the primary time with the top of the tenure of the incumbent president Abdul Hamid.
In the Westminster mannequin, time period limits for the workplace of the prime minister are uncommon. The BNP’s plan for time period limits doesn’t bar an individual from returning to the presidency or premiership. The 27 factors solely spell out a restrict of two consecutive phrases.
The prospect of the BNP imposing time period limits on the workplace of the prime minister is uncertain given the whole absence of intra-party democracy throughout the BNP itself. The rank and file of the social gathering, in addition to the senior management, will not be implementing the social gathering structure. If there are aggrieved members of the social gathering, they’ll strategy the courts to implement the social gathering structure.
Section 7 of the BNP’s social gathering structure explicitly prohibits a convicted particular person from main the social gathering and being a member of its standing committee. Both the chairperson and appearing chairman of BNP proceed to carry their posts regardless of being in violation of the social gathering’s structure.
The BNP itself wants constitutional reforms, for sure. Its social gathering structure has been paralyzed as its nationwide conference has not been held in years. The BNP constitution at the moment offers for 17 vice chairpersons and a senior vice chairman. While ostensibly corporatist, the interior construction of the BNP could be in contrast with the Workers Party of North Korea, which additionally has a number of vice presidents.
The BNP additionally claims that it needs a nationwide unity authorities beneath the management of Tarique Rahman. In a current interview with DW, BNP secretary-general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir indicated that any nationwide authorities would exclude the Awami League and its allies.
How can there be a “national government” if the 2 largest events within the nation will not be a part of it?
It is irresponsible of the BNP to proclaim plans for social safety and well being care with out budgetary particulars. Bangladesh can’t afford a ballooning finances deficit. Barring a couple of exceptions, the BNP management has a critical dearth of environment friendly financial managers for the nation. As the world’s eighth most populous nation, Bangladesh wants a wider pool of expertise. The present management of the BNP is a non-starter when it comes to prospects for democratic and financial reform.
As Bangladesh stands on the precipice of coming into a brand new financial period, it wants sensible and ready palms to fulfill the aspirations of its individuals and information the nation by turbulent instances.
The rank and file of the BNP have to appreciate that 4 a long time of the Zia stranglehold has to finish. They are free to say their rights beneath the social gathering structure. As a registered political social gathering, the BNP is beholden to the legislation of the land.
Umran Chowdhury works within the authorized subject.
