With only one day left before the interim government’s set deadline for political parties to settle their disputes concerning the July charter, little progress has been made in easing the deadlock.
The BNP announced that it would participate in discussions with other parties if Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus extended the invitation. In response to Jamaat-e-Islami’s request for talks on charter implementation, the BNP questioned the legitimacy of another party issuing the invitation.
Meanwhile, nine parties, including the NCP, Amar Bangladesh Party, Gono Odhikar Parishad, and six from the Ganatantra Mancha alliance, are engaged in discussions to find solutions to the stalemate. A Ganatantra Mancha leader mentioned that talks with the BNP and Jamaat had not yet taken place.
In another development, a liaison committee comprising eight political parties, including Jamaat, which is conducting a parallel movement, warned that if their demands were not met, they would escalate their actions during the November 11 rally. Their demands include the issuance of the July charter implementation order and conducting a referendum on it within the current month.
Amid ongoing disagreements over the referendum schedule, charter implementation order, and dissenting notes’ fate, the government urged parties on Monday to resolve disputes and reach a unified decision, preferably within a week. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul stated after a special advisory council meeting that the government had not issued any ultimatums and would wait for parties to act before taking necessary steps.
During a discussion on “Revolution and Solidarity Day” organized by the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed emphasized the need for the interim government to maintain neutrality. He stressed that while the BNP was open to dialogue through the chief adviser, being invited through another party was not appropriate.
Addressing Jamaat-e-Islami, Salahuddin warned against destabilizing actions and highlighted the importance of upholding democratic values in Bangladesh. He emphasized that the interim government lacked the authority to impose deadlines and urged all parties to engage in constructive dialogue for the country’s benefit.
Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad mentioned that most parties had positively responded to the proposal for talks on electoral structure and charter implementation, except for the BNP. He called for inclusive dialogue and stressed the necessity of a referendum before elections to ensure public awareness and participation in proposed reforms.
At the same event, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury emphasized the importance of respecting differing opinions and avoiding confrontational politics. He highlighted the need for stability and a peaceful resolution to disagreements through democratic processes.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam acknowledged the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the July charter but expressed hope for consensus among parties. He emphasized the need for a gradual resolution to constitutional debates, indicating that the interim government would step in if parties failed to reach a decision promptly.