Staff Reporter :
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday made it clear that his party will not take responsibility for any portion of the July Charter that was inserted after their official signing.
“Our stance is straightforward – we are accountable only for the sections of the Charter that we signed. We will not own any part that was added later without our consent,” Fakhrul said while addressing a rally of freedom fighters.
He, however, noted that the BNP still believes the unresolved issues should be settled through dialogue.
Fakhrul recalled that when the Charter was signed in front of Parliament amidst heavy rain, it was agreed that only the points supported by all political parties would be signed, while differing opinions would be recorded as ‘notes of dissent.’
“We signed the document under that understanding. But in the version now submitted to the Chief Adviser, those notes of dissent have been completely omitted, and several new items have been inserted. This is unjust and deceptive to the people,” the BNP leader alleged.
Despite what he called a breach of trust by the National Consensus Commission, Fakhrul said BNP had shown restraint. “We held a press conference to clarify our position. We did not take to the streets, besiege the Chief Adviser’s office, or surround the Election Commission.”
He also criticized Jamaat-e-Islami for resorting to street agitation and forming alliances with certain groups to pressure the government into serving their own interests. The event, organized by the pro-BNP platform Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal and titled ‘The Upcoming National Parliament Election is Essential to Protect Freedom, Sovereignty, and Democracy,’ took place at the Jatiya Press Club ahead of National Revolution and Solidarity Day on November 7.
Regarding the upcoming election, Fakhrul reiterated that it should be held in February 2026, as announced by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
“Whether the proportional representation (PR) system will be adopted or not should be left to the next parliament to decide,” he said.
The BNP leader further mentioned that his party agreed to the proposed referendum, even though it was not essential. “We agreed to hold the referendum simultaneously with the general election to minimize expenses. Conducting it separately would cost over Tk 1,000 crore,” he explained.
Fakhrul added that BNP suggested holding both votes on the same day – one ballot for the referendum and another for parliamentary candidates.
“But now Jamaat and a few others are insisting that the referendum come first and the election later. It is they, not us, who are trying to delay the polls. We have consistently called for holding the election at the earliest possible time,” he said.
He pointed out that BNP had always welcomed discussions on reforms, having already introduced a 31-point reform agenda back in 2022.
“Our leaders have campaigned nationwide about those points. Most of the proposals now found in the July Charter are already part of our 31-point plan. So, how can anyone claim that BNP is against reforms?” Fakhrul asked.
He emphasized that the allegation was baseless. “We support reforms – but genuine ones, not the kind of deceptive measures being promoted by misleading the public. This must be made clear to the nation.”
Turning to Sheikh Hasina, Fakhrul said she has been giving interviews to Indian media without expressing any remorse for her alleged misdeeds and killings.
“Not once has she shown regret. When asked whether she would apologise, she replied, ‘No, we will not apologise.’ That same individual is now spreading propaganda from India,” he remarked.
Fakhrul urged the Indian authorities to send Sheikh Hasina back to face justice in Bangladesh. “We want to tell the Indian government clearly: please return her to Bangladesh so she can be tried under our laws. Stop standing against the people of Bangladesh – they will not tolerate it,” he warned.
