Failing to resolve the ongoing crisis over the implementation of the July Charter, the government has finally shifted the responsibility onto the country’s political parties. If they cannot reach a consensus, the government will move ahead with its own decision.
At an emergency meeting of the Advisory Council on Monday, the government gave political parties seven days to settle their differences through discussion and convey their decision.
Analysts view this move as a strategic attempt by the government to keep the political parties under pressure while maintaining a “safe position” for itself. They note that the decision puts pressure on the parties to reach an agreement among themselves — and if they fail, they will have no grounds to accuse the government later of imposing its own plan.
Despite the ultimatum, the parties remain firm in their respective positions till Monday.
Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies have announced fresh programmes demanding that the parliamentary election and referendum be held on separate days.
Political analysts, however, believe that the parties aligned with the July Uprising may ultimately reach a consensus on holding a referendum to implement the Charter. They said the government’s move effectively gives the parties a final chance to bridge their divisions.
Dilara Choudhury, a retired professor of Government and Politics at Jahangirnagar University, said the parties have been blaming the government in various ways.
“Whenever the government’s stance went against a particular party, that party questioned its neutrality. Now, by placing the responsibility on the political parties, the government has put them under pressure while securing a safe position for itself. Later, no party can claim that the government forced its decision upon them.”
Amid the ongoing dispute among political parties over the July Charter, the government convened an emergency meeting of the Advisory Council on Monday. After reviewing the overall situation, the council decided to urge political parties to hold discussions among themselves and reach a consensus on implementing the Charter.
Following the meeting, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul told reporters, “Despite series of meetings of the National Consensus Commission, the parties have failed to agree on the implementation process of the Charter. The Advisory Council expressed concern over this. Therefore, the parties have been given seven days to reach a decision. If they fail to do so, the government will implement its own decision.”
Responding to a question, he said the government has already held extensive discussions with the parties and will not engage in further talks. “If they reach a decision among themselves, that will be easier for us. We will wait and then take our decision.”
Shortly after this announcement, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and six like-minded parties held a press conference — though it was a pre-scheduled one.
At the briefing, the alliance announced fresh programmes demanding an order for implementing the Charter, separate dates for the referendum and parliamentary election, and adherence to the amended Representation of the People Order (RPO).
Their programmes include a mass procession in Dhaka and a memorandum to the chief adviser on 6 November, followed by a mass rally on 11 November.
Mamunul Haque, ameer of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, said that they will not accept the referendum and election being held on the same day.
“The parties may sit together to make a decision on the July Charter, but the chief adviser must act as a referee,” said Jamaat Naib-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, adding, “It is the government’s responsibility to bring the parties to consensus.”
However, BNP leaders said they had already conveyed their position to the government that the party wants the parliamentary election and referendum to be held on the same day.
BNP Standing Committee member Selima Rahman told TIMES of Bangladesh, “The party has announced its list of candidates on Monday and is busy with related preparations. We will respond to the government’s new position later. But our stance on the issue remains unchanged.”
Sabbir Ahmed, a political analyst and professor at Dhaka University, observed that the government has now effectively placed the “ball in the parties’ court.”
“If the parties fail to resolve their differences within the stipulated time, they will have to accept the government’s decision. This move also shields the government from future allegations of bias–coming from BNP, Jamaat, and the National Citizen Party (NCP), who have often accused it of favouritism.”
Meanwhile, the NCP accused the government of trying to evade responsibility by handing the matter over to political parties. The party’s Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain made the allegation at a press conference Monday night, saying, “The government is deliberately stalling the implementation of the July Charter.”
Several leaders from the pro–July Movement parties echoed similar frustration, saying that despite enjoying broad public support, the government has failed to deliver and is now trying to save itself by avoiding responsibility.
Multiple sources suggest that the political divide over whether to hold the referendum before or on the same day as the parliamentary election is likely to persist. Anticipating this, the government may make up its mind and will announce a clear decision once the seven-day deadline for the parties expires.
