Staff Reporter :
The interim government has renewed its call for political parties to reach a unified stance on the implementation of the July National Charter – a comprehensive reform agenda – as disagreements among major parties continue to stall progress.
At a press briefing on Thursday at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said that while the government remains hopeful about political consensus, it is also preparing to take its own course of action if parties fail to deliver within the set timeframe.
The appeal follows a decision made at last Sunday’s meeting of the Advisory Council, which urged all political parties to engage in direct discussions among themselves and submit a joint directive to the government on how the reforms should move forward. But four days later, there has been no visible sign of inter-party dialogue.
“In line with the Council’s decision, the parties were given seven days to reach a consensus,” Shafiqul Alam told reporters. “If they fail to make a decision within that time, as the law adviser previously said, the interim government will proceed to make its own decision. Preparatory meetings are already being held in this regard. Still, we hope that the political parties will come to a decision on their own.”
Government sources said informal internal discussions have already begun within the interim administration on how to proceed if the current deadlock remains unresolved. Officials familiar with the process said the discussions are focused on ensuring that the reforms do not lose momentum ahead of the upcoming general elections.
The July National Charter, adopted as part of the post-crisis political transition framework, outlines key reforms aimed at strengthening governance, restoring accountability, and restructuring key state institutions. However, diverging opinions among major parties – particularly over sequencing and the scope of reforms – have delayed its implementation.
Despite the growing uncertainty, the Chief Adviser’s press secretary struck an optimistic tone about the electoral roadmap, saying, “The election process has already gained momentum, and the entire nation is now eagerly waiting for the upcoming elections.”
Political analysts say the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the interim government proceeds unilaterally or the parties manage to bridge their differences on one of the most consequential reform blueprints in Bangladesh’s recent history.
