Bhuiyan announces 13-pt agenda for recasting state machinery

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BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan Thursday announced a 13-point agenda for a recast of all organs of the state and government institutions, purportedly in tune with the socio-political purge kicked off by the army-supported interim regime, reports UNB.
To come under the overhauling are the major institutions like parliament, judiciary, Election Commission, administration, local government, Anti-Corruption Commission and Public Service Commission.
The concrete recipe-with checks and balances in state power-is in support of the reform proposals unveiled on June 25 by the second-in-command of the immediate-past ruling party, who is backed by a big lineup of party stalwarts in this their reformist move.
Party chairperson and ex-PM Khaleda Zia, caught in awkward situation since the last January political crisis and changeover, is apparently kept aside in the reform move that also envisages a change of party leaderships.
In a significant latest development the reformists proposed balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister, formation of a National Security Council and appointment of an ombudsman.
The agenda also include bringing reform to the role of the opposition in parliament-apparently as belligerents stances of opposition parties in past parliaments had resulted in deadlocks, and eventually the 1/11 changeover amid a state of emergency.
Bhuiyan also disclosed that the two three-year terms or six-year tenure for the BNP Chairperson would be applicable in the case of the secretary general as well, meaning that he would also not be able to hold his current post anymore.
The BNP secretary general further proposed some amendments to the Constitution, especially changes in Article 70. He also recommended two deputy speakers of parliament, with one to be elected from the opposition.
About the role of the opposition, Bhuiyan suggested that if any Member of Parliament, without Speaker's permission, remained absent for consecutive 30 days (now 90 days), his or her membership should be cancelled.
Under his proposals, under no circumstances should the opposition boycott parliament. The parliamentary standing committees should be strengthened and the chairmen of these committees appointed proportionally. But the post of chairman of the Public Accounts Committee must belong to the opposition.
"To provide democracy an institutional shape, acquire political stability, establish good governance and to have economic development, reform of political parties is not enough. Overall political and other institutional reforms are also necessary," the BNP secretary general said while reading out the reform proposals to the media.
Asked if there is any link between his and Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed's proposals, he said, "There is no link. We have put forward our proposals and he has put forward his own. But, we will analyse his proposals and, if acceptable, we will accept."
Responding to a query, Bhuiyan said that these proposals would be BNP' s proposals only after being approved in party council. "There is a state of emergency in the country, therefore holding BNP's formal meetings is not possible. After discussions as broadly as possible we have put forward these proposals."
Asked if he had any discussion with Chairperson Khaleda Zia, he replied, "Not yet…Discussions will be held (with her)."
Asked when the council would take place, he said that they are at present doing the preliminary work and, at one stage, would talk to the Chairperson to seek for permission fix the date to hold the council. "We think she will give a date and then the council will be held."
Bhuiyan, when asked if they are backtracking on their position to hold the council, said, "Not at all. We are doing the initial works. The date she (Chairperson) will give council will be held on that date."
Responding to a questioner, he apparently ruled out holding the council under the state of emergency. "Actually, we want the politics to be opened. If there is indoor politics, then council will be held."
Asked if they would call a requisition council if the Chairperson did not approve the holding of council, the BNP secretary general said, "We hope she is in favour of reforms and will permit us to hold the council. And we will hold the council with her permission."
Replying to a question, he said that he welcomes the formation of a Constitution Amendment Committee to correlate the changes to the constitution he proposed and other proposals that might follow. The committee could be formed now, but the amendments to the constitution must be passed in parliament, he said.
Asked to whom he is placing his proposals, he said, "There are some proposals that can be implemented now and the government can do it if they want. There are some proposals that will be implemented in the next parliament. Main thing is to create public opinion about these proposals."
The BNP secretary general, when asked if they had any discussions with the interim government, said, "We have not yet discussed, but if needed, we will discuss with the government."
Asked which post he would take, as he could not be secretary general any longer after proposing two three-year terms for the secretary general, he laughed and said, "The council will decide that. I may be chairman or member or vice-president or something else."
"That's not the question…If I do not stay as the secretary general, there are so many posts that I can undertake," he added.
To a query, Bhuiyan dismissed the allegation of violating the party constitution. "We are not violating the party constitution and in future we will work according to the party constitution."
About the party inquiry committee mentioned in his earlier proposals to inquire the corruption and misuse of power during their reign, Bhuiyan said the committee has not yet been constituted.