Fakhrul slams ‘one-sided’ July Charter proposals

Staff Reporter :

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday termed the National Consensus Commission’s recommendations for implementing the July National Charter as “one-sided” and “imposed on the nation.”

“The Commission submitted its report to the government to give legal basis to the July Charter.

But we cannot agree with many of its recommendations, as they ignored areas of disagreement and inserted issues never discussed during the meetings,” Fakhrul said at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office following a standing committee meeting.

Standing Committee members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman and Hafizuddin Ahmed were also present.

Fakhrul alleged that the July Charter omitted dissenting views of political parties, making the Commission’s proposals “imposed and unilateral.”

He described the year-long dialogues among political parties, Reform Commissions, and the Consensus Commission as “meaningless-a waste of time and a betrayal of the nation.”

He said the Commission’s recommendations would divide rather than unite the country and warned that arbitrary reforms could harm national interests.

Earlier on Tuesday, the National Consensus Commission submitted its report on implementing the Charter to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

Fakhrul said the Commission “did not respect the democratic rights of political parties” and even “altered agreed points secretly.”

Although all parties signed the July National Charter on 17 October, he said the final version was not shown to them, and later they discovered several changes.

“For instance, the clause abolishing Article 4(a) on displaying Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait in offices was dropped, and despite consensus to repeal Article 150(2) covering the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Schedules, the final copy contained altered provisions,” he said.

He added that BNP is not lodging complaints but simply clarifying its position. “If needed, we will meet the Chief Adviser again,” Fakhrul noted.

He termed the proposal to hold a referendum on the July Charter before the national election “unjustified,” saying it would be impractical given the time constraints, costs, and logistical challenges.

“It would be wiser to hold the referendum on the same day as the national election,” he added.

Fakhrul said BNP wants the people’s aspirations and sacrifices during the 2024 student uprising and the 16-year struggle against fascism to be honored through a fair national election that establishes an elected government and parliament.

He reiterated BNP’s vision of building a democratic state based on equality, human dignity, and justice.

Referring to the party’s reform initiatives, he cited Ziaur Rahman’s 19-point programme, Khaleda Zia’s Vision 2030, and Tarique Rahman’s 27-point reform agenda-expanded to 31 through consultations with allies-as proof of BNP’s commitment to national reform.

Fakhrul said BNP actively joined all meetings of the Reform and Consensus Commissions and made compromises for national unity. “We sincerely wish success for the reform process, but as a responsible political party, we must take a principled position for the people’s welfare,” he said.

He asserted that the interim government lacks the legal authority to give constitutional status to the July Charter.

Citing the Consensus Commission’s letter to the Chief Adviser, he said it proposed a “July Charter Constitutional Reform Implementation Order 2025,” but according to Article 152 of the Constitution, only the President can issue an order having the force of law.

The second alternative proposal suggested a referendum on 48 constitutional clauses listed in Schedule-1. However, Fakhrul said the final Charter ignored dissenting opinions of political parties.

“In a democracy, differences of opinion are natural. Dialogue was meant to accommodate that, but the Commission disregarded this right,” he said.

He also criticized the proposal to form a Constitutional Reform Council alongside the new parliament, with MPs taking a separate oath as its members. “The Election Commission has no authority to create such a body, and this was never discussed or agreed upon,” he noted.

Fakhrul reaffirmed that those responsible for killings and genocide, including Awami League members and government officials, must face justice.

On the upcoming national election, he said, “We trust the Chief Adviser’s commitment to hold the polls in mid-February 2026 and are continuing our election activities accordingly. We have no doubts or mistrust regarding the election and expect it to be held as scheduled.”