Amid growing speculation over political reforms, BNP has begun steps to implement parts of the July National Charter, including offering the deputy speaker’s post in parliament to the opposition.
Party sources said BNP is ready to start executing several measures agreed through political consensus during negotiations over the charter.
The move comes as opposition parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP), closely monitor the reform process while pressing the government to fully implement the charter’s provisions.
Political analysts say public expectations remain high after the referendum and warn that delays in carrying out the agreed reforms could erode trust in the new administration.
The July Charter was drafted by the former interim government after months of discussions with political parties to outline a framework for state reforms.
A referendum on the charter was held alongside the parliamentary elections in February, where the “Yes” vote secured a majority.
However, tensions have emerged since the election between BNP and opposition parties over how the charter should be implemented.
One key dispute centres on the Constitution Reform Commission.
The newly elected government has declined to take the oath for the commission, while members of parliament from Jamaat and NCP have already taken the oath to join the body.
The disagreement has added to political friction as parties debate how far and how quickly the reform agenda should proceed.
The first session of the 13th National Parliament will begin on 12 March after President Mohammed Shahabuddin summoned the legislature under Article 72(1) of the Constitution.
The opening sitting is expected to set the tone for the new parliament, with lawmakers scheduled to elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, present ordinances issued during the interim government period, adopt condolence motions and hear the President’s address.
Members of parliament will later debate the presidential speech during the session.
It remains unclear who will preside over the first sitting, while attention has also focused on the appointment of the Deputy Speaker.
The July National Charter, agreed during political negotiations before the election, states that a constitutional provision will require one Deputy Speaker in each chamber of the legislature to be nominated from outside the ruling party.
On Monday, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the government had offered the Deputy Speaker post to Jamaat-e-Islami and asked the opposition to nominate a candidate.
He said the move was part of commitments made under the July National Charter and that the proposal had already been conveyed directly to Jamaat leaders.
“On behalf of our party, we have verbally and in person offered the main opposition party the opportunity to decide who will be the Deputy Speaker,” he said.
“That election can take place on the same day as the Speaker election in the national assembly.”
BNP leaders say the party is ready to begin implementing provisions agreed through political consensus.
“We want to start implementing what we agreed upon through consensus, as a document of political understanding, in honour of the July National Charter,” a party leader said after a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Opposition parties, however, say they will continue pressing for broader reforms promised during the political transition.
NCP and Jamaat have raised concerns about any attempt to take the July Charter to court and warned they will take to the streets if that happens.
The two parties have formed an 11-party alliance with nine smaller groups, campaigning strongly on a reform agenda during the election.
Now in opposition, they say they intend to pursue those reforms inside parliament.
The NCP has also formed a Reform Implementation Committee to accelerate efforts to advance the reform agenda following the political developments of last July.
Sarowar Tushar, deputy chief of the committee, told TIMES of Bangladesh that the party will follow democratic processes to ensure the reforms are implemented.
Responding to a question about notes of dissent, he said: “There should be no note of dissent once the people have approved it. The referendum’s decisions must be implemented, as the public has already spoken.”
Political analyst Professor Dilara Chowdhury warned that obstruction in the reform process could quickly affect public confidence.
“When public support shifts to the streets and protests gain momentum, a government struggles to function smoothly and its ability to hold on becomes uncertain,” she said.
