BNP to decide on signing July charter if its notes of dissent are formally incorporated: Fakhrul
“BNP is waiting to see whether its differing opinions are acknowledged in the charter,” he says
The BNP will decide whether to sign the July National Charter only if its "notes of dissent" on several issues are officially incorporated into the document, party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said today (16 October).
Speaking at a rally in Ranisankail upazila of Thakurgaon, he said, "BNP is waiting to see whether its differing opinions are acknowledged in the charter."
Following the National Consensus Commission's meeting yesterday, the party's Standing Committee also met and decided that Fakhrul and Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed would sign the July National Charter on behalf of the party.
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After the meeting yesterday, Salahuddin told the reporters that while everyone should sign the July charter, points of disagreement or notes of dissent should be recorded point by point.
"If there were no differences, discussions would not be necessary," he explained.
The BNP leader also said the referendum over the charter empowers parliament to implement reforms, giving it an obligation that cannot be overturned.
Regarding dissenting notes, he said these will now be incorporated into the clauses of the election manifesto, ensuring that those mandates can be implemented.
"Previously, some may have avoided signing on certain pretexts, but that option is no longer available," he added.
Answering a question, Salahuddin noted that the draft previously shared with political parties did not clearly specify the handling of notes of dissent. "That clause will now be replaced with a clear provision for addressing them."
