The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has started work to craft comprehensive state reform plans through the modification of its 31-point proposal and launch a campaign to garner people’s support for those ahead of the next parliamentary elections.

Once ready, the party will place its recommendations to the commissions formed by the current interim government to reform the state institutions and systems, party sources said.

“We’ll put forward our recommendations for reforms to the commissions formed by the interim government. Before that we’ll determine what reforms our party wants,” BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told the Daily Sun.

He said their party has formed several committees to modify their own 31-point state reform proposal and finalise recommendations for sector-wise reforms.

“Our election manifesto will also be prepared in light of the 31-point state reform proposal earlier announced by the BNP and its like-minded political parties and Vision 2030 unveiled by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia ahead of the next parliamentary elections,” Salahuddin added.

BNP insiders said the party wants the current interim government, headed by Prof Muhammad Yunus, to bring reforms to the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies on a priority basis to pave the way for arranging the next general election at the earliest.

It will place some recommendations to bring reforms to other sectors too and leave some other sectors to parliament for reforms after the election.

BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, while virtually addressing a public rally on 17 September, said establishing an elected parliament and government through political empowerment of the people should be the first and foremost target of all reform activities of the interim government.

“To this end, steps will have to be taken to bring reforms to the Election Commission and public administration, and make law enforcement agencies capable and competent on a priority basis,” he added.

 Tarique Rahman also said BNP announced a 31-point state reform proposal in 2023 in the presence of representatives of democratic political parties with the aim of reforming party politics. “However, the 31 points are not the last word.”

“BNP believes that the reform process is a continuous and ongoing one in all spheres of state or politics. Therefore, BNP also welcomes any necessary change or revision of the 31-point reform proposal announced by BNP to reform state and politics,” he added.

 On 11 September, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in a televised address to the nation announced the formation of six commissions headed by six eminent citizens to reform the constitution and five key institutions.   

The commissions are the Electoral System Reform Commission headed by Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, Police Administration Reform Commission headed by Safar Raj Hossain, the Judiciary Reform Commission headed by Justice Shah Abu Naeem Mominur Rahman, Anti-Corruption Reform Commission headed by Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Public Administration Reform Commission headed by Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury and Constitution Reform Commission headed by Distinguished Professor at Illinois State University Dr Ali Riaz.

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Thursday said the six reform commissions will place their reports to the government by 31 December, reflecting on people’s desire and expectations as the government is committed to building a new Bangladesh.

“The commissions will start working from 1 October. We expect that the commissions will submit their reports by 31 December,” he said.

The BNP Standing Committee in its weekly meeting held on 16 September with Tarique Rahman in the chair decided to place their recommendations for reforms to the commissions formed by the government.

To this end, the party formed six committees to decide the party’s position on the state reform initiatives of the interim government. These thematic committees will discuss reforms with stakeholders and formulate party strategies.

“We’ll discuss with stakeholders the state reform proposals and also carry out a campaign across the country through holding different programmes to make people aware of our reform proposals,” Salahuddin told the Daily Sun.

The six BNP committees are on the reforms of the state, Public Service Commission, administration, education and health, Election Commission and banking and trade. Apart from this, the party decided to form several other committees for reforms of other sectors like the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Besides, another committee has been formed with Salahuddin Ahmed as convener to modify the 31-point reform proposal. The committee also will carry out a campaign to promote it. This committee will take public opinions about state reforms as well.

According to party sources, the committee named State Reforms will coordinate the entire reform work. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is the head of the committee.