Former president Badruddoza Chowdhury at an iftar party on October 8 called upon political parties to form a government of "national consensus" for 10 years.
The 14-party alliance including the Awami League, Jatiya Party, Gono Forum, Krishak Sramik Janata League and other political parties conditionally endorsed the proposal.
However, BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain opposed the idea of a consensus government, saying there is no provision in the constitution for a government of 10-year tenure. He also raised questions about the constitutional validity of such a government, saying constitutional endorsement and people's support is a must for it. Expelled BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan also supported the idea. Jamaat-e-Islami has dismissed Professor Chowdhury's proposal for national consensus government, saying that the constitution does not contain such provision.
Matiur Rahman Chowdhury has more details.
