Political parties remain firm in their positions amid growing speculation that some may refuse to sign or are still undecided about the July National Charter.
While the chief adviser has expressed optimism and urged all parties to sign the Charter, most have made it clear they will only do so if their specific conditions and demands are addressed in the document.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP) have all maintained their previously stated stances. As of now, it remains uncertain which parties will ultimately sign the charter.
About the July Charter signing ceremony scheduled for 17 October, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said, “We will attend there with a festive spirit, sign the document, and celebrate. Everyone, the entire nation, will participate. You are the people in the front row who are signing. The whole country, with their concerns and thoughts, is signing with you. This will be a memorable moment for the nation.”
Yunus once again reiterated that the national election would take place in February.
Addressing political party leaders, he said, “Just as you all together created the charter, it is our government’s responsibility to conduct a festive election together. Only then will our work be complete.”
Salahuddin Ahmed, a Standing Committee member of the BNP, said his party is ready to sign the July Charter but only if the note of dissent is included.
“There is no chance to postpone the national election. It must be held in February; there is no alternative,” he added.
Regarding differences of opinion, he said issues on which there is consensus will be combined, and issues with dissent will be clearly included as a “note of dissent”.
Motiur Rahman Akand, central publicity secretary of Jamaat, said a referendum is the only way to gain the nation’s mandate, and there can be no delay in the process of obtaining that mandate. Therefore, the referendum must be held by mid-November so that the charter gains legal validity.
Akhter Hossen, NCP member secretary, said, “We have taken a stance supporting the legal basis of the July Charter and holding elections based on it. However, the draft we have received lacks clarity on the implementation of the charter, the consequences of the note of dissent, and when and how the referendum will be held.”
He added that until a clear outline on implementation, orders, and the referendum is presented to the nation, the NCP’s signing of the charter remains under consideration.
From the Left Democratic Alliance, it was announced that due to a note of dissent on the state’s four fundamental principles, they will not sign the July National Charter. Unless the commission takes a different decision, they will stick to their position.
General Secretary Mizanur Rahman of Ganoforum said they will not sign the Charter unless the declaration of the Liberation War and the Proclamation of Independence are included.
