Staff Correspondent

Most political parties on Sunday expressed support for the latest revised proposal on the caretaker government issue, particularly the appointment of its head (chief adviser) but the National Consensus Commission asked them to send written opinions by Monday to reach a final decision.

The Consensus Commission on Sunday morning placed a revised proposal over the caretaker government issue synthesising proposals submitted earlier by BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), and Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh.

In the middle of the day’s discussion at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, the Commission presented yet another written proposal on the caretaker issue following different questions made by the representatives from the political parties.

According to the latest proposal, a five-member selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition, the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker (from Opposition) and a representative nominated the third largest party in the Parliament to pick the chief adviser of the caretaker government.

“The (latest revised) proposal details the procedure for appointing the chief adviser. The parties have agreed on most of the issues in this (latest) proposal,” said Vice Chair of the Commission Prof Ali Riaz at a press briefing in the afternoon after the 15th day of the second-round reform dialogue.

Considering the importance of this issue, the written proposal has been given to the representatives of the political parties, he said.

“They (political parties) will discuss the draft proposal in party forums and give us their opinion tomorrow. So, we hope that we will be able to come to a point of agreement on this issue the day after tomorrow,” said Prof Riaz.

The political parties reached a consensus over the restoration of the caretaker government system earlier, different issues of the system, particularly selection of the chief adviser, were discussed on Sunday.

“Now, we have requested that the parties discuss details of the written version and submit their opinion for minor changes in writing tomorrow so that we can get this matter settled the day after tomorrow,” said the vice chair.

Apart from the caretaker issue, the commission also raised the topic of forming an Upper House in the proposed bicameral parliamentary system.

Turning to another the formation of the Upper House discussed earlier, Prof Riaz said the issue was discussed for several days. “There’s no disagreement over establishing the Upper House. But there are two views on how it should be formed,” he said.

Noting that parties finally entrusted the commission with the responsibility to make a decision, he said the commission has already held internal discussions and meetings on this. “Within a couple of days, we expect to come up with a decision from our side regarding the Upper House so that we can move closer to consensus with everyone,” said the vice chair.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed at a press briefing also expressed optimism to reach a logical position over the caretaker government issue.

“We believe that all would assess it considering Bangladesh’s political context and international democratic practices. We’re optimistic that we’ll reach a logical position,” he said.

He said although the caretaker system is still pending review in the Appellate Division. “We hope the system will be reinstated through the court verdict,” he said, adding that if the court does not reinstate it, the Parliament has the authority to do so by enacting a new law.

The BNP leader said there was near-consensus among political parties to keep the judiciary above controversy. “From that position, the commission has drafted a proposal for further discussion. We have been asked to respond by Tuesday discussing in the party forums,” he said.

Regarding the appointment of the chief adviser, Salahuddin said a five-member committee has been proposed, comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, a representative from the third largest party, and two additional members.

This committee may invite name proposals from different parties or the people. Then, the names will be shortlisted, and if necessary, the selection can proceed through a ranked-choice voting method, he explained.

The BNP leader said the caretaker system would have a 90-day election period, with a provision to extend it by another 30 days in case of acts of God (emergencies).

He said whether one person should simultaneously hold the posts of Prime Minister, Leader of the House, and party chief was also discussed on Sunday.

He said the party chiefs should not be disqualified from becoming Prime Minister as it goes against democratic norms and practices.

“The option should be opened for the party chief to become the prime minister. Because, it is his or her democratic rights,” he said.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher told reporters in the afternoon that the formation of the caretaker government should be formed based on the consensus, not majority within the selection committee for the chief of the election-time government.

“But whatever the number, it must be based on unanimity. Decisions must not be taken by majority vote, sidelining others,” he said.

The Jamaat leader said the decision based on the ranked choice voting system will open the way for negative politics, which would lead to evil-bargaining and horse-trading practice as seen in the past.

“If the committee fails to reach a political consensus, the retired chief justice could be the head of the caretaker government,” said Taher.