Which step will govt take on referendum?: Nation on verge of danger over political parties disunity

Reza Mahmud :

There has been no agreement yet between the government and the political parties including the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami regarding the timing of the referendum for the implementation of the July National Charter.

The seven-day deadline the government had given to the political parties has already expired which was announced on November 3.

Although Jamaat-e-Islami has already made contact, the BNP remains firmly opposed to the process. As one of the country’s major political parties, the BNP policymakers are not interested in holding any discussions with a party like Jamaat.

However, several members of the BNP’s standing committee have said that the party will respond if the government calls for talks. At the same time, BNP leaders are expected to gradually take a visibly “strong stance” toward the government.

In this regard, the party is considering a strategy of being cautious and tolerant; otherwise, there is concern within the BNP that it may end up being blamed for any deterioration of the political situation or environment in the country.

On November 3, the interim government had given political parties one week to resolve their differences over the process of implementing the July Charter and setting the date for the referendum.

The interim government is likely to issue the “July National Charter Implementation Order 2025” in mid-November, and preparations for it are already underway. The draft order may be presented at the Advisory Council meeting on Thursday.

The issue of a national referendum is not new in Bangladesh’s politics, but by July 2025, it has taken on a new dimension. The major political parties, including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, and others, have not come to the negotiation table.

Political analysts say this situation indicates a deepening of the country’s political divide and is pushing the government toward taking unilateral decisions regarding the timing of both the referendum and the national election.

However, there is no clear indication yet whether such decisions will be accepted by all parties. Overall, the coming week appears to be highly sensitive for Bangladesh.

When contacted, Eminent political analyst Professor Dr. Mahbub Ullah told The New Nation on Monday, “The political parties have to realise that their disunity will push the nation towards the verge of danger zone as the hazards of the country yet to erase. Their wrong doing will make people think them negatively.”

The Professor said, there are huge security problem in the country existing while the bureaucracy is not adequately supportive for a good transition of the country.

He urged the interim government and the political parties to take every step cautiously for the sake of the nation.

Barrister Ahmed Siddiqui, a prominent lawyer of the country and a member of the Constitutional Reform Commission, said, “Now the question is whether the government will issue an order or not.

The next steps and subsequent political developments will depend on which of the referendum-related proposals the government accepts from the Consensus Commission’s recommendations. That’s what we have to wait and see.”

The BNP’s stance is quite clear – the party wants the referendum to be held on the day of the national election. The party believes that if the referendum and the election are separated, it could disrupt the democratic process aimed at restoring democracy.

In a statement, the BNP said that the decisions taken during the long discussions of the Consensus Commission should be implemented through the participation of all political parties. The party does not want to raise new questions or create new crises.

On the other hand, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan, JAGPA, and eight like-minded political parties have taken a more active stance on the referendum issue.

They insist that the referendum must be held before the national election, and they have issued both a deadline for the government and a warning of tough movements if their demand is ignored.

This warning came after a meeting of the liaison committee of the eight-party alliance held last Saturday at JAGPA’s Dhaka office.

Ehsanul Mahbub Zobayer, Assistant Secretary General and head of Jamaat’s publicity department, told journalists there has been no formal meeting so far between Jamaat and BNP or NCP on the implementation of the July Charter. He added that Jamaat remains open to dialogue.

Political analysts believe that under the current circumstances, the government must take the lead in mediation and decision-making.

The timing of the referendum is not merely an administrative issue – it has direct implications for political stability, public sentiment, and the electoral environment.

Before holding the referendum, it is crucial to understand the expectations and demands of the people.

Analysts note that the public wants both the referendum and the election – whether held together or separately – to be transparent and effective.

If political parties ignore public expectations, it may fuel political tension and erode public support.

Coordinating the referendum and the national election will also require strong administrative preparedness. Holding both on the same day could create significant administrative pressure and complicate election management.

Jamaat and the like-minded parties have already warned of tough programs. Though BNP has not announced any direct movement, their leaders’ statements hint at possible counter-responses.

If the government’s decision does not align with public expectations, the November 11 rally may mark the beginning of a large-scale movement by the eight-party alliance, potentially followed by counter-programs from the opposite side.