11-Party alliance accuses Govt of betraying reform pledge

The 11-Party Alliance has accused the government of betraying the nation by failing to fulfill its election promise to reform the Constitution.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday after a liaison committee meeting at the opposition leader’s official residence on Minto Road, the alliance’s coordinator, Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, said the government had pledged constitutional and state reforms in its election manifesto and 31-point agenda but had taken no steps to establish the promised Constitutional Reform Council.

Instead, he alleged, the government is pursuing constitutional amendments through parliament, a move he said goes against the public mandate.

Azad argued that reforms carried out through a Constitutional Reform Council would have been more durable and less vulnerable to legal challenges, unlike parliamentary amendments that could later be overturned by courts or future governments.

He also criticized the government’s handling of law and order, corruption, rising living costs, the gas crisis and alleged political appointments in state institutions. He further claimed that key constitutional bodies, including the Anti-Corruption Commission and the National Human Rights Commission, continue to have long-standing vacancies.

The alliance announced that it will hold a rally at 3:30 pm on Aug 5 in Paltan after its top leaders approve a new programme at a meeting on Aug 3.

Expressing concern over recent attacks on political programmes in Sylhet and Habiganj, Azad alleged that activists of the BNP, Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal were involved and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible.