Interim government was just an ordinance-issuing administration: Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has described the previous interim administration as merely an “ordinance-issuing government,” claiming it attempted to introduce another ordinance even at the end of its tenure.

He made the remarks while speaking as chief guest at a discussion meeting, iftar and prayer gathering organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Lawyers Forum at the Supreme Court of Bangladesh on Tuesday (March 10).

The minister said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) remains fully committed to the July National Charter.

“We are 100 percent committed to the July National Charter. We signed it. Those who are criticizing it now also signed it after the elections,” he said.

Salahuddin Ahmed added that the BNP does not deny the charter and has a clear commitment regarding its implementation. However, he noted that the party would also follow its own election manifesto and implement the charter within the limits of its commitments.

Referring to constitutional reform, the Home Minister said that if the referendum verdict is to be respected, any constitutional changes should be decided through parliamentary discussion. If a new oath is required, he said, it must follow a defined constitutional framework.

He also criticized political forces that believe they were removed from power through conspiracy but still hope to form a government.

Senior leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Lawyers Forum and many lawyers attended the event. After the discussion, a special prayer and iftar gathering was held seeking peace and prosperity for the country.

During the 559-day tenure of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, a total of 133 ordinances were issued. On average, one ordinance was promulgated every 4.2 days.

Under the constitution, these ordinances must be approved by parliament within one month of the next parliamentary session to become law. This means the current government would need to process an average of about four to five ordinances per day within that period.