Dispute over July charter: Yunus to attend Consensus Commission's urgent meeting with parties this evening
Letters have been sent to 33 political parties on an urgent basis, summoning them to the meeting.
The National Consensus Commission has called an emergency meeting with political parties this evening (15 October) to discuss the signing and implementation of the July National Charter 2025.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus will chair the meeting to be held at the State Guest House Jamuna, according to the CA's Press Wing.
The development comes as some political parties are at odds regarding implementation of the July charter which is scheduled to be signed on 17 October at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the capital.
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The main differences of opinion are emerging over the constitutional changes required for constitutional reforms and other reforms, according to DW Bangla. However, there is little disagreement about the fact that the interim government can implement other reforms through ordinances. Almost every party agrees on the reforms needed to ensure a fair election.
Also, while all parties have agreed on holding a referendum on the charter, disputes remain over the process and timing of the vote.
"The meeting will begin at 6pm today," Pabon Chowdhury, the commission's public relations officer, told The Business Standard.
He added that letters have been sent to 33 political parties on an urgent basis, summoning them to the meeting.
Any objections or concerns regarding the charter's draft will be heard during the meeting, and necessary amendments will be made based on consensus, he said, adding that the commission will then submit its implementation recommendations to the government.
Meanwhile, the BNP will has confirmed that it will join the meeting.
A three-member delegation, led by BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, will attend, according to BNP media cell member Shairul Kabir Khan.
National Citizen Party (NCP) Joint Member Secretary Mushfiq-us-Saleheen said there is no scope to sign the July charter without a decision on the process of its implementation.
"Unless it is clarified who will issue the referendum order, what will be written in that order, what the referendum question will be, how the next parliament will be given constituent power, and how the notes of dissent will be resolved — signing the July Charter without settling these issues will only prolong the crisis."
He further said, "We cannot repeat the mistake of participating in an initiative without knowing what it actually contains, such as during the July Declaration. What is the obstacle to issuing the implementation order and signing the charter simultaneously? Only after seeing the implementation order can a decision be made on signing the charter."
Mushfiq added that the entire process remains unclear to the public and that transparency is essential to build trust.
Earlier in the day, a meeting of the National Consensus Commission was held at the State Guest House Jamuna with Yunus in the chair, according to the CA's Press Wing.
Commission Vice-Chairman Ali Riaz, members Md Emdadul Haque, Safar Raj Hossain, Iftekharuzzaman, Badiul Alam Majumdar, and Md Aiyub Mia and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Monir Haidar attended the meeting.
Besides, National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman and Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser M Siraz Uddin Miah were also present at the meeting.
Earlier, the National Consensus Commission held a five-day dialogue in the third phase to discuss the implementation process of the July charter.
