National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip in Parliament Nahid Islam has called on former Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus and all former advisers of the interim government to actively protest against the cancellation of critical reform ordinances.
Nahid made the remarks during a press briefing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, following his return from Umrah. The Dhaka-11 lawmaker said the current political turmoil over reforms was foreseeable.
“This conflict began immediately after 5 August, starting with the consensus commission. While we advocated for a new constitution, the BNP focused on election. They sought power while keeping the old system largely intact, ignoring the country’s urgent need for reforms,” he said.
Nahid warned that after securing a two-thirds majority, the BNP is neglecting key obligations.
“They are scrapping 10 to 11 critical ordinances, including the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Ordinance, Human Rights Commission Ordinance, and the Supreme Court Judges Appointment Ordinance. By doing so, they are aiming for unchecked executive power under an authoritarian system,” he said.
Describing BNP as fundamentally anti-reform, Nahid said past efforts to rally public support were hindered by lack of faith in the party’s leadership.
“Since parliamentary avenues are failing, we must take to the streets to demand that the Constitutional Reform Council be formed and the ordinances enacted into law,” he added.
Turning to former interim government advisers, Nahid urged Dr Yunus, Asif Nazrul, and others to speak up.
“They engineered the election and handed power to BNP. Now they cannot stand by silently while reforms are abandoned. Dr Yunus must break his silence and join the people in defending these achievements,” he declared.
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