The interim government is set to finalise the implementation process of the July Charter on Thursday amid a deep division among major political parties over key provisions of the document.
A meeting of the Council of Advisers, scheduled for Thursday morning, is set to give final approval to the implementation plan. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is likely to address the nation later in the afternoon, the Chief Adviser’s Office confirmed through its press wing.
“We are going to take the decision for the betterment of the nation and its people,” Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan told TIMES of Bangladesh, adding that the Council will finalise the process during the meeting.
Earlier, following the Council’s meeting on 4 November, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said the government had given political parties a seven-day deadline to reach a consensus on the implementation plan. That deadline expired on Wednesday without any breakthrough, as BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami failed to resolve their differences.
Chief adviser’s likely appeal
Yunus, in his televised speech, is expected to urge political parties to set aside their differences and accept the government’s decision. Sources said while the Council will take a formal decision on Thursday, the official gazette notification may take two to three days.
In a last-minute attempt to bring major parties on board, several advisers are reportedly planning informal meetings with BNP and Jamaat leaders over the weekend.
Sticking points
The core dispute between the two major parties lies in two issues — the timing of the referendum and the proposed proportional representation (PR) system in parliament.
BNP and its allies favour holding the referendum on the same day as the national election, while Jamaat and its partners insist that it be held earlier. BNP has also opposed the introduction of the PR system, a proposal strongly backed by Jamaat.
Facing pressure from both sides, the government is treading cautiously. Sources said the Council may seek a “compromise formula” — holding the referendum and election on the same day, while accepting the PR system for the proposed upper chamber, a key demand from Jamaat.
Political reactions
Following a meeting with foreign diplomats, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said, “Any reform must come through an elected parliament with people’s mandate. BNP will not accept any reform outside a consensus framework.”
Meanwhile, Jamaat and its allies announced an indefinite sit-in in front of the Chief Adviser’s residence, Jamuna, demanding that the referendum be held before the national election.
“An adviser has informed us that the chief adviser will sit with us after the Council meeting,” Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and media coordinator Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair told TIMES.
National Consensus Commission
The National Consensus Commission held 67 meetings with over 30 political parties in two phases since its formation in February. The final draft of the July Charter contains 84 reform proposals, along with dissent notes from several parties.
On 17 October, the chief adviser and representatives from 25 political parties — including BNP and Jamaat — signed the final draft at the South Plaza of Parliament. However, the National Citizen Party and several left-leaning groups refused to sign, citing ambiguity about the implementation process.
The NCP later submitted a set of recommendations on 28 October, suggesting that easily enforceable reforms be implemented through ordinances or executive orders.
