Deadline Ends Today, No Consensus, Decision Now on Government

The interim government’s one-week deadline for political parties to provide guidance on implementing the July National Charter ends today, Monday. As of Sunday, no positive outcome has emerged. Instead, disagreements have grown between the two sides over the charter’s implementation and street protests. In this situation, the government may hold further discussions with the political parties soon.

Preparatory work for issuing the July Charter implementation order is underway at the Law Ministry, and the draft order may be presented at the Advisory Council meeting next Thursday. The main issues in the ongoing political crisis are: issuing the July Charter implementation order, setting the date for a referendum, and noting objections in the reform proposals. These issues arose after the National Consensus Commission submitted its recommendations on the charter and its implementation to the Chief Advisor.

On November 3, the government urged the parties to provide a unified response as soon as possible. Despite holding meetings and discussions, the parties failed to reach a resolution. Moreover, the parties did not positively respond to renewed calls for consensus regarding the July Charter drafted after long dialogue with the National Consensus Commission.

As a result, public disagreement has increased between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. Both parties support a referendum for implementing the July Charter, but BNP wants it held on the same day as the national election. They also demand that their noted objections be included in the referendum proposal and implemented according to the constitution and law. In contrast, Jamaat wants the referendum before the national election and insists that no party’s objections be included in the proposal.

Jamaat, along with eight other Islamic parties, is continuing protests over five demands. They have warned that if the demands are not met by November 10, they will hold a grand assembly in Dhaka on November 11 and announce stricter measures. BNP and other parties view this as a plot to delay the national election.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmad said, “An ultimatum has been issued to the government. We will not allow the streets to be used to disrupt democracy. A referendum outside the election day is impossible. Constitutional changes must go through Parliament.”

Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad said, “We are advancing through a democratic process. We are conducting protests in a regular manner to create public opinion, raising our voices, and trying to convince the government.”

Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor Shafiqul Alam stated, “If parties fail to make a decision, the government will take responsibility and act accordingly. Preparations are underway.”

Khaborwala/TSN