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

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said that the previous interim government was basically an ordinance-issuing government. He said that even during the last period of power, they tried to issue a new ordinance.

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting, prayer and iftar mahfil organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Lawyers Forum at the Supreme Court Auditorium on Tuesday afternoon.

Regarding the July National Charter, the Home Minister said that BNP is fully committed to the charter. “We signed it. Those who are criticizing us, they signed it after the elections,” he added.

Salahuddin Ahmed clarified that BNP does not reject the July Charter and they have a clear commitment to implement it. However, the government will also work according to its own election manifesto and the promises made in the charter will be implemented within that limit.

Regarding the amendment to the constitution, he said that if the referendum verdict is to be respected, the issue must first be brought to parliament. There, a decision to amend the constitution will be taken based on the discussion. Everything, including taking a new oath if necessary, will be completed according to the prescribed constitutional process. He also said that if someone wants to return to power through conspiracy, it is an "illegal" desire.

Senior leaders and numerous members of the Nationalist Lawyers Forum were present at the event. After the discussion, a special prayer and iftar mahfil were held to pray for peace and prosperity of the country.

A total of 133 ordinances were issued during the 559-day tenure of the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, which is equal to one ordinance every 4.2 days on average. According to the constitution, if the current government wants to turn these ordinances into laws within a month of the beginning of the parliament session, then an average of about 4.5 ordinances will have to be passed every day.