The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has indicated that it holds no major objections to the draft of the National July Charter sent by the government, though it maintains reservations on certain key points. The party is considering concessions on some proposals “in the interest of national unity” and has formed a three-member committee, led by Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, to finalize its stance.
A senior BNP source confirmed that the party’s highest policymaking body, the Standing Committee, thoroughly analyzed the integrated draft during its meeting on Monday night at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. The meeting, which lasted from 8:30 pm to 11:00 pm, was chaired virtually by Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman from London.
Discussions particularly focused on 10 proposals where BNP has placed a “note of dissent.” Among these are the proportional representation (PR) system in the upper house of Parliament, balancing powers between the president and the prime minister, the bar on one individual serving simultaneously as prime minister and party chief, and the mechanism for forming a caretaker government. Sources suggest BNP may soften its stance on some of these issues.
The party also sought an additional day from the National Consensus Commission to submit its final opinion. Although Wednesday (20 August) was the deadline, BNP now plans to deliver its formal feedback on Thursday.
BNP leaders stressed that while the party does not oppose most of the 84-point draft, its objections mainly lie in the introductory section and a few points in the second, third, and fourth segments. The Standing Committee also debated the legal and constitutional grounding of the Charter. Members expressed concern that unlike the earlier draft—which pledged full implementation within two years—the current version omits such a timeline and restricts judicial challenges.
Speaking at his residence on Tuesday, Salahuddin Ahmed remarked, “The July Charter carries many dissenting notes from various parties, but several of these can be implemented through ordinances and executive orders. Others, requiring constitutional amendments, must be executed within two years by the next parliament, as promised in the earlier draft. That pledge is missing now.”
He added, “We must sign the July Charter and honor the commitments made on the basis of national consensus. The reforms should lay the foundation for a stronger democratic state. For that, legal validity and a proper constitutional mechanism are essential.”
BNP Standing Committee members including Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Selima Rahman, Maj. (Retd.) Hafizuddin Ahmed, and Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain attended the meeting.
Engaging Allies
In parallel, BNP is seeking to bring its allies closer on the Charter issue. On Tuesday night, the party held a meeting in Gulshan with Gono Odhikar Mancha, a key partner in the joint anti-fascist movement. The Mancha has previously sided with BNP’s dissenting positions in the Consensus Commission.
Party insiders hinted that BNP may compromise on a few fundamental proposals to maintain unity among partners. The meeting reflects BNP’s broader strategy of consolidating its coalition as the July Charter moves toward finalization.
