Ruling party Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni on Wednesday said there is no alternative to amending the constitution, adding that political consensus on the issue is not far off despite ongoing disagreements with the opposition over the method of reform.Speaking to journalists during a break in the thirteenth parliament’s session, the Chief Whip said constitutional amendment is an essential process and efforts to build political agreement are underway.
“There are differences with the opposition, but they are primarily centered on determining the method of amendment. I hope we will be able to reach a resolution on this very soon,” he said, adding, “Our main goal is to firmly establish democracy, protect independence and sovereignty, and advance constructive national development.”
He stressed that Parliament functions through discussion and constructive criticism and that achieving consensus grounded in patriotism is only a matter of time.
The remarks come amid a standoff between the ruling BNP and the opposition led by Jamaat-e-Islami over how to implement reforms outlined in the July Charter. The opposition has insisted on establishing a Constitution Reform Council with constituent powers, while the government has signaled its preference for working through the existing parliamentary amendment process.
Moni noted that the Prime Minister was held accountable through a question-and-answer session during the parliamentary proceedings, demonstrating that no one is above accountability in the current democratic framework.
On employment, the Chief Whip said the government is actively exploring alternative labor markets and prioritizing the development of a skilled workforce.
He said steps would be taken to promote job-oriented education and that initiatives are underway to teach students English as a second language alongside the languages of countries where Bangladeshi workers are likely to seek employment. The relevant ministries have been directed accordingly, he added.
Addressing concerns about the armed forces, Moni accused the previous government of politicizing the military, saying the current administration has taken necessary corrective measures since assuming office.
The Chief Whip also urged media outlets to maintain balanced coverage, citing the example of extensive reporting on the closure of Eastern Refinery while the arrival of oil-carrying ships at ports received comparatively little attention.
He announced that two vessels carrying a combined 200,000 metric tons of fuel oil have anchored at the jetty, describing the delivery as a significant step in maintaining stable energy supplies.
He urged the media to give equal attention to positive supply-side developments alongside reports on the country’s only state-owned refinery, Eastern Refinery PLC in Chattogram.
“The media should present positive developments alongside negative news,” he said, underscoring the importance of a comprehensive national narrative on energy security.
The Chief Whip also highlighted the government’s broader priorities under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, stating that the administration is focused on advancing public welfare, building a humane state, strengthening democratic institutions, and safeguarding the country’s independence and sovereignty.
Alongside protecting national interests, he added, the government is committed to ensuring justice across all sectors.
Turning to employment and human resource development, Nurul Islam stressed the role of skilled manpower in generating jobs.
He said the government is prioritizing multilingual training to expand overseas employment opportunities, calling for proficiency in Arabic to access Middle East markets, Mandarin for China, Italian for Italy, Korean for South Korea, and Japanese for Japan.
He also underscored the importance of English as a global second language.
In this context, the Chief Whip said the Education Minister will prepare a nationwide guideline after consultations across the country and subsequently submit it to the Prime Minister for approval.
