Most interim government activities to get legitimacy except a few: Home Minister

The current government is set to constitutionally legitimise most of the activities of the previous interim government, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said at a press conference organised at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Dhaka. However, a couple of decisions in specific cases may fall outside the scope of legitimacy.

Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman and Chief Whip Nurul Islam Mani were present at the press conference on Sunday, April 12.

Responding to a question about the referendum, the Home Minister said the February 12 referendum was not held under Article 142 of the constitution. However, it was held under the Referendum Ordinance and has its own validity.

He explained that when all activities of the interim government are legitimised through the Fourth Schedule of the constitution, that referendum and related activities will automatically gain legitimacy.

The Home Minister further stated that there is no need to enact the Referendum Ordinance into law, as future referendums will have to be held either under the constitution or through new legislation.

Responding to criticism from the opposition, he said there is no reason to 'threaten' over the referendum's validity. According to the government's plan, once most activities of the previous government are legitimised through the Fourth Schedule, they will become completely legal.