BNP agreed to accept referendum result Badiul Alam
Badiul Alam Majumdar, member of the National Consensus Commission of the Interim Government and also Secretary of Shujan (Citizens for Good Governance), has stated that the BNP had agreed to respect the outcome of the referendum when represented in the interim government-formed consensus commission.
Speaking at a press conference at Kamal Hossain’s chamber in Motijheel on Tuesday, Majumdar said the BNP representatives at the commission had explicitly indicated their willingness to abide by the referendum result.
“We hope that all concerned, including the government and opposition parties, will respect the people’s verdict and, if necessary, engage in dialogue to uphold it,” he said.
He noted that the referendum presented 48 issues to the public, all of which were approved with a “yes” vote, and expressed hope that the provisions would now be incorporated through constitutional amendments.
Responding to questions on the formation of a constitutional reform council, he said, “That remains to be seen. We can wait, and hopefully politicians will learn from past mistakes and avoid repeating them. Prudence should guide their decisions.”
Majumdar emphasised that the results of the referendum, particularly the July National Charter, should not be the subject of dispute or cause complications, stating, “This will not benefit anyone if we create unnecessary controversy.”
He also clarified that the final decision regarding the caretaker government would rest with parliament, ideally following the recommendations of the constitutional reform council.
On the structure of the caretaker government, he explained that it would depend on two factors: the verdict of the Fifteenth Amendment case and the 48 items passed in the referendum under the July National Charter.
Senior lawyers Sharif Bhuiyan and Karishma Jahan, who was present at the press conference, spoke in support of the caretaker system.
Bhuiyan described the Supreme Court’s full verdict last Sunday, which reinstated the caretaker government provisions, as historic and essential for Bangladesh’s democracy.
He added that the ruling rectified previous errors by the Supreme Court and opened the door for the system to be adapted by parliament for the welfare of the people.
