Law Minister Shafique Ahmed has raised doubts about the ability of local institutions to effectively govern their constituencies. However, other participants at a seminar, including members of parliament, politicians, and economists, expressed support for a strong local government and proposed the establishment of a local government commission. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, president of the Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad, and co-chair of the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust, expressed confidence that the ruling Awami League would fulfill its promise to establish such a commission. Mujahidul Islam Selim, general secretary of the Bangladesh Communist Party, criticized the local government ministry for overstepping its boundaries in controlling local governance, calling it unconstitutional. The government is required by the constitution to guarantee five levels of public representation, but only two are currently active at the Upazila and union levels. Local officials believe that these locally elected bodies cannot operate independently without the involvement of their corresponding Members of Parliament (MPs). Abdul Majid, the president of a group of Upazila chairmen and vice-chairmen, stated that the Upazila councils are not functioning properly because they are controlled by the MPs. He added that the Upazila chairman simply follows the instructions of the local MP. Meher Afroz Chumki, a Member of Parliament from Gazipur, emphasized the need to change one's mindset. She advocated for empowering local governments but criticized bureaucratic red tape for hindering genuine government efforts. Chumki believes that if local governments are given more power, they will also become more responsible, but she believes that a closed mindset is preventing this from occurring. Hasanul Haq Inu, President of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and also an MP, stated that there should be clearly defined roles for local and central governments to specify their respective responsibilities. He observed that discrimination against local representatives was to be expected in a system with clear dualism. He emphasized the importance of public representatives in development plans, stating that initiatives should be centered around local government. Shafique Ahmed, concluding the discussion, expressed his support for decentralization and agreed with the perspectives of the other speakers. He stressed the need to assess the qualifications of local agencies before entrusting them with responsibilities. The Governance Advocacy Forum arranged a seminar that was overseen by Kholiquzzaman Ahmad. More than 400 chairmen and vice-chairmen held a hunger strike at Muktangan in the capital on Jan 22 to present a ten-point demand for empowerment. Their requests included the abolishment of a law that requires the corresponding MP to be appointed as advisor to the Upazila council. They also called for 70 percent budget allocation and separate budgets for local government, as well as the authority for chairmen to assess all government employees under the council. Local leaders also asked to be in charge of 13 offices under 10 ministries in accordance with the Upazila Parishad Act, the ability for local government organizations to create their own annual and five-year plans, the reformation of district councils, the establishment of a local government commission, and a comprehensive law for local government organizations. The strike was postponed to March 28 after receiving a guarantee from MPs Rashed Khan Menon and Hasanul Haque Inu that the demands would be met.