BNP, country’s largest political force in the absence of Awami League, appears to have no interest in discussions with any political party regarding the implementation of the July Charter and holding a referendum.
However, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, BNP’s main opponent in the upcoming February election, has formed a two-member committee to hold talks with various political parties.
The interim government has urged political parties to reach an agreement within a week on the timing of implementing the July Charter and holding a referendum. If no consensus is reached, the government has stated it will make a decision itself.
The government’s call, however, has received no response from BNP. Party leaders have indicated that the matter is already settled after lengthy discussions at now defunct National Consensus Commission and that there is no need for renewed negotiations among political parties. Even if talks occur, the government itself must take the initiative.
Senior BNP leaders said they initially opposed a referendum but later expressed support for it on the day of parliamentary elections, while submitting notes of dissent on other issues. Currently, BNP hopes the government will hold the parliamentary elections and the referendum on the same day, which they consider the correct decision. They warn that failure to do so could jeopardise the February elections.
Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of BNP’s standing committee, told TIMES of Bangladesh, “The National Consensus Commission has submitted its recommendations on the July Charter to the government. There is nothing more for BNP to do. Now, it is the government’s responsibility to decide. We hope the government arranges the referendum on the same day as the parliamentary elections.”
Another standing committee member, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, criticised the government for asking political parties to reach consensus without consulting a major party like BNP, alleging that the government is following Jamaat’s advice.
Allied parties of BNP share similar views, noting that all are now focused on the February elections. They consider holding a referendum before the elections almost impossible and politically unreasonable. Even the National Citizen Party has stepped back from demanding a pre-parliamentary referendum.
On the other hand, Jamaat and its seven allied parties remain insistent on holding a referendum before the parliamentary elections. Among these parties are the Islami Andolan Bangladesh led by Charmonai Pir, Khelafat Majlis, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam. They have already organised street rallies, submitted memoranda to the chief advisor, and demanded a referendum from the Election Commission before the parliament elections.
Following the advisory council’s appeal, Jamaat-e-Islami formed a two-member committee on Tuesday evening to engage in talks with political parties. Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher and Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad have been appointed as members. They are already consulting their seven allied parties. However, they have not received any response from BNP so far.
Azad told TIMES that discussions with the BNP and other parties are ongoing, though formal talks will require more time. While BNP’s response remains lukewarm, Jamaat wishes to engage with parties like the National Citizen Party and AB Party. Most parties, however, are now preoccupied with the parliamentary elections and do not want new complications over the July Charter or referendum.
