Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed has criticized the interim government’s repeated invitations for political dialogue, suggesting the process is becoming a ceremonial show without substantive results.

Referring to the upcoming second round of talks scheduled for June 2, Salahuddin said, “There is no lack of formality or discussion, but there’s no sign of real progress. The second round will begin with yet another grand opening. How many inaugurations are needed for one reform process?”

He made the remarks on Saturday while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion event organized by the BNP’s affiliated body, the Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal, at the Diploma Engineers’ Institute auditorium in Dhaka. The event was held to commemorate the 44th death anniversary of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman and focused on his contributions to Bangladesh’s agricultural revolution.

Salahuddin mocked the repetitive nature of the dialogues, saying, “They already inaugurated the first round of discussions. Now there’s another inauguration for the second round, and maybe there’ll be a third one where everything will be compiled again. This is nothing but showing us the ‘banana of reform.’”

On May 26, a meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at his official residence decided that the second round of reform-related discussions with political parties would begin in early June. However, a specific date was not officially confirmed. Today, Salahuddin referred to the June 2 date, though it`s unclear whether it`s formally set by the commission.

Questioning the approach of the National Consensus Commission, Salahuddin criticized what he called a one-sided reform agenda. “Why must the nation accept only your version of constitutional reforms? Why this ego? Why do you believe the National Constitutional Council (NCC) should be given ultimate power, rendering other branches of the state ineffective?”

He accused the commission of presenting “innovative” reform proposals without adequate consensus, suggesting these could lead to a system reminiscent of one-party rule. “It seems we’re being forced to agree to reforms that were designed without our input. This is a recipe for another BAKSAL.”

Salahuddin emphasized that the BNP had submitted its written positions and identified both areas of consensus and disagreement. “You should compile and publicly release what issues we’ve reached near agreement on and where the gaps remain. Reform is one of our top agendas, but more urgent is justice for crimes against humanity. Everyone involved must be brought to account.”

Salahuddin also strongly opposed any plan to delay the national election beyond December. Addressing the Chief Adviser directly, he said, “Why do you want elections after December? There isn’t a single valid reason. If the government has any justification for postponement, let them make it public. The people of Bangladesh demand elections before December — and so do we.”

He asserted that any future government must be committed to continuing the reform process and ensuring justice, adding that reforms are an ongoing process based on national needs and should not be manipulated for political convenience.

The event was chaired by Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal General Secretary Shahidul Islam. Other speakers included BNP leader and BFF President Tabith Awal, Krishak Dal Vice President Col. (Retd.) S.M. Faisal, Mamunur Rashid Khan, Nasir Haider, Abul Bashar Akand, Dhaka South convenor Haji Md. Kamal Hossain, member secretary Mir Hasan Kamal Taposh, North Dhaka convenor Asjadul Arish, and member secretary Shafiqul Rahman.