NCP to sign July Charter if Consensus Commission's recommendations incorporated in order: Nahid
The party has no plans to form an alliance in the upcoming national elections with any political party that stands against reforms, he says
The National Citizen Party (NCP) will sign the July Charter once the recommendations of the National Consensus Commission particularly those concerning the cancellation of the "note of dissent" in the July Charter Implementation Order and constitutional reforms — are formally incorporated, NCP Convener Nahid Islam said today (28 October).
"There will be no such thing as a 'note of dissent' in the July Charter implementation order. Whatever consensus the Consensus Commission reaches regarding constitutional reforms will be put to a referendum," he told journalists while attending leadership selection activities for the NCP convening committees of Rajshahi city and district units in Rajshahi.
The people will decide, and it should be determined whether those matters are incorporated into the constitution, he added.
"Secondly, we have said that it [the order] must be approved through a referendum, and must be issued by Prof Muhammad Yunus based on the legitimacy of the July Uprising. Therefore, if the government ensures the points agreed upon by the Consensus Commission in implementing the July Charter, the NCP will sign the document," he added.
Nahid further said that the NCP has no plans to form an alliance in the upcoming national elections with any political party that stands against reforms or bears controversy in history.
He also called for the announcement of a roadmap for trials related to the July Uprising before the election, emphasising that the trial process for military personnel involved must continue.
"There will be no return to the previous caretaker system; the next national election will be held under the leadership of Prof Yunus," said the NCP convener.
Criticising the Election Commission, Nahid described its refusal to allocate the "Shapla" (water lily) symbol to the NCP as an act of "arbitrariness."
"If we have to achieve the Shapla symbol politically, we will do so through movements on the streets," he warned.
He alleged that the Election Commission's denial of the symbol was an attempt to obstruct the NCP's political and electoral activities.
Nahid also accused "fascist forces" of conspiring around the upcoming elections and said the NCP seeks a proportional representation system in the upper chamber.
