Referendum before or on polls day acceptable; July Charter order must come from CA: Nahid
Referring to the BNP and Jamaat, Nahid accused the two parties of creating unnecessary debate over the timing of the referendum in an attempt to divert attention from key issues.
National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has said holding a referendum before or on election day would be acceptable, but the order to implement the July Charter must be issued by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, not the President's Office.
Speaking to reporters at the party's Banglamotor office today (2 November), Nahid said it would be better if the referendum is held before the election, but it could also take place on election day, depending on the government's capacity.
Nahid added that the order to implement the July Charter must come from Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, not from the President's Office, arguing that if it comes from the President's Office, the July Charter will lose its legitimacy.
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He said the NCP supports the first draft, or Proposal 1, of the July National Charter implementation order, which stipulates that the charter will be put to a referendum as a bill and that the next parliament must be obligated to pass it if approved.
Referring to the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, he accused the two parties of creating unnecessary debate over the timing of the referendum in an attempt to divert attention from the main issues of the July Charter.
'Disunity'
The NCP leader said the day the July Charter was signed marked the beginning of national disunity, accusing signatories of deceiving the nation by endorsing it without proper scrutiny. "There is still a chance for unity."
Nahid alleged that one group is undermining the reform process while another is trying to delay the election, adding that once the legal basis for the charter is established, it would not matter if the referendum is held on election day.
"The timing of the referendum – before or after the polls – is not the main issue," he noted. "But the July Charter must be issued by Dr Yunus. If President Chuppu signs it, that would nail the coffin of reform."
On political alliances, he said no alliance would be possible with any party that does not support reform. "The NCP will make a final decision after assessing the positions of other parties on the election."
Regarding preparations for the national election, Nahid said, "Our two regional chief organisers are working on election matters. We are considering fielding candidates in all 300 constituencies."
"The government has repeatedly altered the text under pressure from certain groups. We support the first draft of the implementation order, which stipulates that reform proposals would automatically be incorporated into the constitution after 270 days. If that clause is removed, we will have to reconsider our support."
Nahid added that there is nothing to fear about the 270-day deadline and that unnecessary panic and debate are being stirred up around it.
He said Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been used as an icon of fascism, saying, "His portrait cannot be made mandatory in the constitution under any circumstances."
If the provisions in the first draft of the implementation order are changed, the NCP may withdraw its support, Nahid reiterated.
Regarding the NCP's electoral symbol, Nahid said the Election Commission has been creating obstacles instead of cooperating with the new party.
"The decision on the Shapla (water lily) symbol could have been made a month ago. We still want the Shapla."
On former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and India, where she has been since her ouster, Nahid said India is supporting the July mass killings by sheltering Hasina.
"Until India changes its stance on the mass uprising, Bangladesh-India relations will remain cold," he added.
Disagreements between parties
Political strife has grown since the National Consensus Commission's submission of recommendations on how to implement the July Charter on 28 October, as major parties remain divided on several key issues.
The National Consensus Commission recommended that the next parliament also serve as a constitutional reform Council with 270 days to complete constitutional reforms in line with the July National Charter proposals passed by a referendum.
The referendum can be held before or on the day of the national election, according to its proposals.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on 30 October that the interim government has no authority to issue the July Charter implementation order, as only the president can issue an "order."
He added that the proposals and recommendations of the National Consensus Commission are one-sided and are being forcibly imposed on the nation.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said yesterday that the "situation" created by the BNP over the implementation of the charter is "completely undesirable."
"The people want a national election in February. Creating uncertainty [over the July Charter] right before the polls will disrupt the electoral process," Taher added.
Previously, NCP Chief Organiser Nasiruddin Patwary said on 30 October that the BNP no longer has the option to say "no," as it has already agreed in principle to the July Charter.
Talking about "no" campaign launched by the party, he added, "The BNP has issued a 'no' online, but in reality, they have already said 'yes.' They have consented to the marriage and even signed the contract. Now they have no option to back out. The BNP should have thought carefully before signing the July Charter."
