Members of Parliament from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have declined to take the oath as members of the newly formed Constitutional Reform Council, though they have already been sworn in as MPs. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the party will decide on the council oath after the parliamentary session begins. In contrast, elected representatives from the Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizens Party (NCP)-led 11-party alliance have taken both oaths as MPs and as council members.

The National Parliament Secretariat had prepared for two separate oaths following the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, which mandates the formation of a Constitutional Reform Council composed of newly elected representatives. However, BNP’s 209 MPs refused to take the second oath, arguing that the existing constitution does not recognize such a council or authorize the Chief Election Commissioner to administer its oath.

Observers noted that BNP’s refusal has created an early obstacle for the interim government’s reform initiatives and may lead to a new political crisis.