The interim government is facing increasing pressure as major political parties take sharply opposing stances over the implementation of the July Charter — a reform blueprint meant to steer the country toward stability. Instead, the move has fuelled fresh tension, with both BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami accusing the government of bias whenever its actions appear to favour the other side.
The government remains intent on implementing the reforms through consensus and has continued holding talks with all parties to build trust. Yet, analysts warn that the deepening political divisions could cast a long shadow over the next election, already dogged by uncertainty.
“Unless the major parties close their divide and reach a compromise, the crisis could eventually threaten the credibility of the election itself,” said one analyst, noting that the confrontational stances among the parties put the government, led by Muhammad Yunus, under pressure.
After the National Consensus Commission (NCC) submitted its recommendations on Tuesday over implementing the charter, disagreements erupted over the timing of a proposed referendum and the removal of “notes of dissent” from the final report. The dispute has pitted Jamaat and National Citizen Party (NCP) against the BNP, further complicating the government’s position.
At a press conference on Thursday, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul admitted the administration was “unsure how to proceed” amid fierce political rivalry. “After 270 days of discussions, this tone of discord is disappointing,” he said, adding that the chief adviser would make a decision on the referendum soon.
Sabbir Ahmed, a professor of political science at Dhaka University observed that the confrontation between BNP and Jamaat following the NCC recommendations has “added a new layer of pressure” on the government. “The government must tread carefully and make a well-considered decision,” he told TIMES of Bangladesh.
“Despite their division, both parties will eventually reach a compromise,” he added. “Neither BNP nor Jamaat wants to make elections uncertain and risk giving the fallen Awami League a political opening. But Jamaat is trying to assert its strength since the July uprising, and if the gap remains unbridged, it could spark a wider crisis.”
BNP, meanwhile, insists that the referendum and the national election should be held on the same day. At a press conference on Thursday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir declared that the party “will not accept any referendum on the July Charter before the general election,” accusing the government of “cheating on political parties” by removing dissent notes from the NCC’s final report. He said BNP leaders planned to meet the chief adviser over the issue.
Just hours later, Jamaat held an emergency press conference demanding that the referendum be conducted in November, before the general election. Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, the party’s nayeb-e-ameer, urged the government to issue an order for the referendum “by Friday.” Earlier that morning, Jamaat, Islami Andolan, and six like-minded parties had submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission demanding arrangements for the vote.
While NCP has supported the idea of a referendum, it has not pressed for a specific date, focusing instead on ensuring the charter’s implementation. The party accused the BNP of trying to obstruct the reform process altogether.
Analysts fear that the parties’ confrontational postures could push the country toward a deeper political crisis, raising fresh doubts about the upcoming election.
Senior lawyer and political analyst Abu Hena Razzaki said the government’s position was naturally becoming more difficult. “As the referee, everyone expects fairness from the government. It cannot change reality under pressure,” he said. “If BNP and Jamaat fail to compromise, the election could remain stuck in limbo.”
He warned that holding the election without a legal foundation for the July Charter — through either a referendum or a government ordinance — could open the door to questions about legitimacy. “The interim government is not recognised in the constitution, so the charter must gain legal validity before the vote. That’s why many want a referendum first,” he explained. “But even a failed referendum carries risks.”
Earlier divisions had already surfaced over signing of charter on October 17, which NCP and four left-leaning parties boycotted, accusing the government of “appeasing one party” — a thinly veiled reference to the BNP.
Although Jamaat and its allies attended the signing, they later criticised the lack of clarity in the implementation plan and announced street campaigns demanding immediate action. Ironically, at that time, BNP had supported the government and NCC’s position.
Now, the alliances have reversed — leaving the government caught between competing demands, fragile trust, and the ticking clock of an approaching election.
