CPB, 3 other leftist parties refuse to sign July charter over recommendation to omit independence declaration
Leaders of the four left-leaning political parties said that they will not accept any consensus charter that excludes the Declaration of Independence and the spirit of the Liberation War.
The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), the Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Basad), the Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist), and the Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Bangladesh Jasad) have announced that they will not accept and sign the July National Charter as it recommends omitting the 1971 independence declaration.
At a press conference held at the CPB headquarters in the capital's Purana Paltan this afternoon (16 October), leaders of the four left-leaning political parties said that they will not accept any consensus charter that excludes the Declaration of Independence and the spirit of the Liberation War.
The charter is set to be signed at a ceremony on the South Plaza of the National Parliament tomorrow (17 October).
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"They [National Consensus Commission] had informed us that the Declaration of Independence would be included as part of the charter. Unfortunately, in the final draft, they failed to keep that commitment.
"Under these circumstances, we declare that we will not sign the charter under any condition unless it is amended," said the leaders of the four parties.
"We have had no formal or informal discussions with the commission. Only an invitation letter was sent, expecting our presence. We believe that without discussion and consensus, there will be division, not unity," they said.
Saying that dissenting opinions were ignored in the final draft of the July National Charter, the parties alleged that the Consensus Commission deliberately suppressed differing views and included several proposals beyond what was agreed upon unanimously.
The four parties said that although they have been invited, they will not be able to participate, as their "dissenting opinions and notes of dissent have not been properly reflected."
