NCP Convenor Nahid Islam on Sunday rejected fresh discussions on implementing the July National Charter, saying the reform debate had concluded before the national election and the government must now honour the referendum verdict.
Nahid, also the opposition chief whip, demanded the immediate formation of a constitution reform council to initiate constitutional amendments in line with the referendum mandate.
Speaking at a youth conference organised by Jubo Shakti at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Dhaka’s Khamarbari, he accused the government of retreating from the reform commitments made following the July 2024 mass uprising.
He said the uprising had raised expectations of political and economic transformation, leading to the formation of a consensus commission, preparation of the July Charter and a referendum.
Despite these steps, the government was now refusing to implement the reforms, he alleged.
Nahid said nearly 70 per cent of voters had supported reforms in the referendum, demonstrating public demand for change.
“The people expressed their position twice – by standing before bullets on the streets in July 2024 and by voting in the referendum during the February 2026 election,” he said.
He criticised the government’s formation of another committee to discuss reforms, arguing that the issues had already been settled before the election.
“There is nothing new to discuss. It is time to implement the people’s verdict,” he said, warning that the government would face consequences if it continued delaying reforms.
Nahid said the opposition would neither join a committee headed by Salauddin nor submit its views to the body.
Turning to the caretaker government system, he accused the BNP of attempting to recreate political crises similar to those of 1996 and 2006 by seeking to install preferred individuals ahead of the next election.
He recalled the failed attempt in 1996 and alleged that efforts were made in 2006 to place party loyalists in a caretaker administration by extending the retirement age of the chief justice.
Nahid also criticised the BNP government’s record on employment, wages and reforms, saying the expectations generated by the July uprising remained largely unmet eight months after the government assumed office.
He referred to the BNP’s election promise of creating one crore jobs within 18 months, claiming that no visible progress had been made towards the target.
The government should have introduced loans, training and other support to help young people establish small businesses, he said.
Nahid further alleged that pressure was being exerted on the chairman and members of the Public Service Commission to resign so that politically favoured individuals could be appointed.
He said the July mass uprising had itself emerged from protests against discrimination and favouritism in government recruitment.
Expressing support for garment workers demanding higher wages, Nahid called for negotiations to ensure fair pay and resolve the dispute.
He also urged the government not to deploy police to suppress workers’ demonstrations.
Citing deteriorating law and order and rising fuel prices, the NCP leader demanded the resignation of the home minister and the power and energy minister.
On foreign relations, Nahid called for Bangladesh’s fair share of Ganges water to be secured in negotiations over the water-sharing treaty, which is due to expire in December.
He also demanded public disclosure of discussions and agreements with Japan concerning the Matarbari deep-sea port.
Any attempt to grant India corridor or transit facilities through an agreement would face strong resistance, he warned.
Nahid called for justice over the killing of Osman Hadi and urged the authorities to expedite trials related to the July mass uprising.
He also alleged that political cases were being used to harass opponents.
Concluding his speech, Nahid urged Jubo Shakti activists to organise young people in every district and upazila to pursue the unfinished goals of the July uprising.
He called for unity in protecting democracy, national sovereignty and people’s rights.
