Dhaka

Political tensions escalated in Bangladesh’s parliament on Wednesday as a disagreement between the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party and opposition Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh intensified over a controversial presidential directive, prompting opposition members to stage a walkout.

The dispute centres on the “July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order,” issued during the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus. The order proposes wide-ranging constitutional reforms and is seen as requiring formal amendments to the existing framework.

Although the measure received support from more than 60 per cent of voters in a referendum held alongside the general elections in February, it has become a source of sharp political contention. The ruling BNP, which commands a strong majority in parliament, has declined to introduce the order for legislative consideration.

Government leaders have questioned the legality of the directive, arguing that Mohammad Shahabuddin exceeded his constitutional authority and may have acted under pressure from the interim administration. Senior ministers described the order as lacking clear legal status and criticised it as an illegitimate instrument.

This marks a notable shift in the BNP’s stance, as the party had earlier avoided direct criticism of the interim government ahead of the February elections.

Opposition leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami strongly objected to the government’s refusal to act on the referendum outcome, accusing it of disregarding the will of the electorate. Party chief Shafiqur Rahman said the opposition would not accept what he described as a dismissal of public opinion, before leading the walkout from the House.

At the heart of the disagreement is a constitutional question: whether a presidential order issued during an interim regime can obligate a newly elected parliament to implement sweeping reforms. The BNP maintains that only a duly elected legislature has the authority to decide on constitutional amendments, while Jamaat insists that the referendum result should be honoured.

The July Charter itself outlines an ambitious reform agenda. It calls for extensive changes to Bangladesh’s constitutional structure, including the possible rewriting of the 1972 Constitution and the formation of a Constituent Assembly to carry out these revisions. It also seeks formal recognition of the 2024 political uprising within the constitutional framework.

Legal experts remain divided over the validity of the referendum and the order, with some describing the process as constitutionally questionable.

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The growing rift between the BNP and Jamaat—once long-time political allies—has raised concerns about legislative gridlock in the current parliamentary session, as both sides continue to clash over the future direction of constitutional reform in the country.