National election illegal without July Charter's legal basis: Islami Andolan Ameer Rezaul
The party chief urged the interim government to recognise the July Charter before announcing the polls date
The upcoming national election will be rendered illegal if the legal basis of the July Charter is not in place beforehand, Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim said today (11 November).
Speaking at his party's rally in the capital's Paltan, he said, "On what legal foundation will you hold the national election? That foundation is the July Charter. Until it is given legal status, the election will be illegal."
The party chief urged the interim government to recognise the July Charter before announcing the polls date, stating that all political parties have agreed on holding a referendum regarding its legal framework.
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He also criticised the BNP, claiming that the party wants the referendum and the national election to be held on the same day, while other parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP, have proposed holding the referendum first.
He warned the interim government against delaying legal recognition of the July Charter, saying, "If you procrastinate on giving the charter a legal basis, the people of Bangladesh will not stay silent."
Rezaul Karim further said that the country's people, including students, scholars, and clerics, have united under the demand for the July Charter's legal validation.
He urged the government to respond peacefully, warning that otherwise, a nationwide programme would be announced compelling all to accept public demands.
The Islami Andolan chief accused the Awami League of being "power-loving, not patriotic," adding that "those who once fled to India during crises are now plotting to retain power again."
Earlier today, leaders and activists of eight Islamic parties, including Jamaat, held their grand rally, pressing a five-point demand, including the implementation of the July Charter and the holding of a national referendum on it.
Top leaders from all eight political parties addressed the rally, which marked a major show of unity among opposition factions pushing for a set of common demands.
The seven allied parties of the Jamaat‑e‑Islami besides Islami Andolan Bangladesh are Khelafat Majlis (two factions), Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa) and Bangladesh Development Party (BDP).
