Dhaka, Nov. 8 -- Senior BNP leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has argued that under the existing Constitution, any national referendum can only be held after it is legislated by parliament, cautioning against bypassing established processes.

On Saturday, he said the interim government was formed and the administration took oath "under the existing Constitution" and it contains "no provision" for a referendum.

Khosru expressed concern over rising "authoritarian" tendencies within political parties, stressing the importance of consensus: "Among our political parties, there is somehow an authoritarian mindset.

"No room to go outside consensus remains. Many of our 31-point demands were not included in the consensus. Does that mean I will...