July Charter: BNP ready to sign; Jamaat, NCP hesitant

Several political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, have yet to decide on signing the July Charter, saying the document needs a clear legal framework before they can endorse it.

They argue that without such a basis, signing would bring no meaningful outcome.

The BNP and several other parties, however, have agreed to sign.

According to BNP sources, the party held a meeting yesterday evening to finalise the names of representatives to be sent to the National Consensus Commission. As of 9:15pm, the meeting was still underway.

The BNP is likely to nominate Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed for the signing, said the sources.

On Thursday, the commission sent the final version of the charter to political parties, saying it reflected the views of all sides.

It asked each party to submit the names of two representatives by 5:00pm today for signing. The commission will meet experts tomorrow morning before sitting with political parties in the afternoon, and again Monday if needed, to discuss implementation.

The Jamaat and NCP also held separate meetings yesterday to review the document. Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad said the party was still discussing the matter and would decide after internal consultations.

NCP Joint Convener Javed Rasin said if the commission handed implementation responsibility to the government, it would push the issue to the next parliament or into uncertainty. "In that case, the party would decide in its forum whether to sign or not," he said.

Islami Andolan's presidium member Ashraf Ali Akon said their leaders were on organisational tours and could not yet evaluate the charter. They would only sign if assured of a legal framework during the interim government, he added.

The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) is also undecided. General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince said CPB would not sign if the final text retains a clause preventing signatory parties from challenging the document in court.

Gono Odhikar Parishad, meanwhile, is dissatisfied that the 2018 quota reform movement was not explicitly recognised in the charter. Although the final draft mentions the broader movement, Office Secretary Shakil Uzzaman said the party is still considering its position.

Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist) has raised objections on state principles and women's representation in parliament, and will not sign unless these matters are addressed, party sources said.

On the other hand, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) has decided to sign and will send Vice President Tania Rob's name to the commission, General Secretary Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan confirmed.

On Thursday night, commission members met at Jamuna with chair and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. Sources said although its tenure was scheduled to end on September 15, it may be extended to September 30.

Commission Vice-President Prof Ali Riaz told this newspaper that progress had already been made on implementing some charter provisions, especially those not tied to constitutional changes. He said parties agreed the interim government could carry out reforms through ordinances and executive orders, and some have already been enacted.

"Regarding constitutional reforms, a few are fundamental to governance and structural change, and these need to be prioritised," Riaz said. "Many have been agreed upon by all parties. Others should be implemented to ensure a 'new Bangladesh'. Acceptable methods must be agreed upon for these issues."