Govt to implement July Charter in full, pursue reforms based on BNP's 31-point agenda: Fakhrul

Highlights:

• Fakhrul pledges full implementation of July Charter
• Govt to pursue reforms based on BNP's 31 points
• PM Tarque Rahman hosts first meeting with allies
• Local polls unlikely under party symbols
• Govt to continue consultations with coalition partners

The government will implement the July Charter in full while carrying out state reforms in line with the BNP's 31-point reform agenda, BNP Secretary General and Local Government Adviser Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said today (20 July).

He made the remarks after a views-exchange meeting and dinner hosted by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the state guest house Jamuna with leaders of political parties that participated in the simultaneous anti-fascist movement.

More than 150 senior leaders from allied political parties attended the event, marking the prime minister's first formal meeting with coalition partners since the formation of the government.

Paying tribute to those killed during the July 2024 student-led mass uprising, Fakhrul said their sacrifices had created the opportunity to restore democracy by ending authoritarian rule.

He also acknowledged the contribution of those who were injured or permanently disabled during the movement.

Highlighting the government's performance over the past five months, he said the administration had prioritised public welfare from the outset.

He said the first cabinet meeting approved the waiver of agricultural loans of up to Tk10,000, including accrued interest.

The government has also begun distributing family cards and farmer cards, introduced allowances for imams, priests and fathers serving religious institutions, launched stipends for athletes and initiated canal excavation programmes, he said.

Fakhrul said the government had inherited a collapsed state and economic structure and had already begun rebuilding key institutions, including the banking sector, with efforts underway to gradually restore normalcy.

On state reforms, he said the government would implement the BNP's 31-point reform programme announced during the simultaneous movement "to the letter".

He added that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had also reaffirmed his commitment to fully implementing the July Charter, which was signed with the consensus of political parties.

According to Fakhrul, the prime minister will continue holding regular meetings with allied political parties to preserve national unity, advance reform initiatives and strengthen coordination on major political issues.

No local polls under party symbols

Asked whether local government elections would be held under party symbols, Fakhrul said no discussions had yet taken place with coalition partners on the issue.

"You know that under the existing law there is no provision for holding local government elections on party symbols," he said.

"So, I do not think we need to discuss the matter right now. However, we will take decisions on every issue through consultations with our political partners."

Fakhrul also praised the allied parties for their role in the anti-authoritarian movement over the past 15 years, saying those who had endured imprisonment, enforced disappearance and political violence had made sacrifices the nation would always remember.

He expressed hope that all democratic political forces would continue working together to rebuild the country.

Earlier, Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman arrived at the venue at around 7.30 PM where invited leaders had already begun arriving.

The meeting was confirmed by the Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon and BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.

They said the event was organised in honour of the leaders of the parties that joined the anti-fascist movement.

This is the first formal meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the top leaders of the alliance partners since the election and formation of the government.