Jamaat, NCP criticise BNP's refusal to take Reform Council oath

Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party have criticised the BNP's decision not to take oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council, saying the move contradicts the spirit of the 2024 July Uprising and risks creating a constitutional impasse.

Speaking to the media inside the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban today (17 February), Shafiqur Rahman, ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, accused the BNP of "ignoring and disrespecting" the July movement by declining to take the reform council oath.

"The ruling party has ignored and disrespected July by not taking the oath. We believe this position goes against public aspirations. Their stance against reform is now clear," he said.

Earlier in the day, newly elected BNP lawmakers were sworn in as members of parliament at the Oath Room of the parliament complex, with the oath administered by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin. However, they did not take oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council.

Shafiqur said Jamaat received its oath notification late the previous night but attended "out of civic responsibility and respect for the people." 

According to him, the parliament secretariat's letter specified two oaths — one as MPs and another as reform council members. He said Jamaat chose to take both, arguing that the 2026 election would not have been possible without the July Uprising and that honouring its mandate was a "sacred political duty."

Referring to the BNP's position that parliament could review the issue during a provisional period, Shafiqur urged swift action. "If they truly respect July and reform… they should also take that oath," he said. He also reiterated that Jamaat would reject government plots or duty-free cars.

He further alleged widespread attacks on supporters of an 11-party alliance and called on the government to take visible steps to stop them. 

Responding to a question on appointing former interim government national security adviser Khalilur Rahman as a technocrat minister, Shafiqur said such a move would raise concerns about neutrality.

Echoing similar concerns, Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party, said appointing Khalilur Rahman as a minister could cast doubt on his impartiality during the interim administration.

Speaking after taking oath as both an MP and a reform council member, Nahid alleged electoral irregularities, claiming certain constituencies were manipulated to secure a two-thirds majority and hinder constitutional reform. 

He said the BNP's refusal to take the reform oath contradicted the referendum verdict supporting change.

Nahid also warned of a potential legal and constitutional crisis, noting that referendums derive their authority from the July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order. 

He urged the BNP to take the oath promptly to resolve the impasse and honour reform commitments made to voters.