BNP Walks Out of Talks on Appointments to Key Bodies

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed talks to media after walking out on a National Consensus Commission meeting on 28 July 2025.

The BNP delegation walked out of the 20th session of the National Consensus Commission dialogue on Sunday, which was focused on the process of appointing individuals to major constitutional bodies, including the Public Service Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Comptroller and Auditor General’s Office, and the Ombudsman.

The session began at 11:30am at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

Speaking to reporters during the walkout, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said, “We are walking out for a while. We had earlier stated that forming appointment committees for certain institutions and incorporating these into the Constitution would create complications in the state’s functioning.”

In response, National Citizen Party Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain urged BNP to rejoin the discussion in the national interest.

On June 25, BNP had conditionally agreed to a proposal limiting an individual’s term as prime minister to a maximum of 10 years in a lifetime. However, it strongly opposed the formation of any National Constitutional Council (NCC) or similar body for making appointments to constitutional or statutory institutions, and stated it would not take part in any discussions on this matter.

Salahuddin had earlier commented, “We agree on limiting the prime minister’s term to 10 years, but we oppose any council or committee for appointments to constitutional bodies. These issues are interconnected.”

During the session, when asked about BNP’s absence, Consensus Commission Vice Chairman Prof Ali Riaz clarified that the party had already made it clear—on record—that it would not participate in discussions beyond the Election Commission.

He added, “One party’s absence does not mean the discussion will be halted. In previous sessions, parties have walked out temporarily, but the dialogue always moved forward.”

Monir Haidar, special assistant to the chief adviser and a commission member, said the day’s agenda also included discussions on women’s representation in parliament, along with other topics if time permitted.