The BNP has termed "unacceptable" the recommendations submitted by the National Consensus Commission to the government for implementing the July National Charter. The party stated that several points agreed upon during the signing of the July Charter were later altered without their knowledge in the printed booklet. The final copy of the July Charter was not presented to anyone on the day of the signing ceremony. Subsequently, in the printed copies of the booklet, several clauses agreed upon based on consensus were revised again without our knowledge.

In its formal response to the National Consensus Commission's recommendations on implementing the July Charter, the BNP said that due to such revisions, nearly a year's continuous discussions with political parties have become meaningless. This is a waste of money and time, farcical, and a deception to the nation. It will only divide the nation; instead of unity, it will create disunity. Accepting any fabricated reform proposal could bring long-term harm to national life.

Yesterday, Thursday afternoon, at a press conference held at the Chairperson's office in Gulshan, Dhaka, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, on behalf of the National Standing Committee, formally announced the party's position on the matter. Prior to this, a meeting of the party's National Standing Committee was held on Wednesday night. The party's Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, presided over the Standing Committee meeting virtually from London.

Clauses Revised Without Knowledge
Highlighting the revisions made to the July Charter without the knowledge of political parties, the BNP Secretary General said that the provision regarding hanging the portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in government and private offices—under Clause 4(a)—was not included in the charter despite being abolished, even though almost all political parties had agreed to it. Additionally, although nearly all political parties consented to the Consensus Commission's proposal to fully repeal Article 150(2) of the Constitution (Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Schedules), it was revised without knowledge in the final charter.

He said, "For the sake of establishing consensus, our party made concessions on many issues. However, in the Consensus Commission's recommendations to provide legal basis to the July Charter, points where consensus was reached with dissenting opinions were not mentioned, and issues that never came up in lengthy discussions were included. As a result, these recommendations of the Consensus Commission are unacceptable, and we cannot agree to them."

Referendum on a Separate Day is Illogical
Terming the recommendation for a referendum before the national election "illogical," the BNP Secretary General said at the press conference that the Chief Adviser had announced elections in the first half of February next year. In that case, holding the proposed referendum before the election is not possible. Considering the shortage of time, huge costs for the election, deployment of law enforcement and manpower, and the massive arrangements similar to parliamentary elections, a referendum before the national election is unnecessary, illogical, and ill-considered. It is desirable to hold the referendum on the same day as the parliamentary election, with the same arrangements and costs.

Mirza Fakhrul said, "We agreed to hold the referendum on election day in the interest of the nation and unity. Beyond that, we will never agree; the question does not arise."

Government Has No Authority to Issue Constitutional Reform Order
Mirza Fakhrul said that the July Charter recommends implementing constitutional reform issues through two alternative methods and providing legal basis, as suggested to the government. It states that to enforce the constitutional amendment-related matters included in the July Charter, the government will issue an order titled "July Charter Constitutional Reform Implementation Order-2025." The government has no authority to issue such an order. According to the definition in Article 152 of the Constitution, an order holds the status of law. The authority to issue it lies with the President.

Highlighting the second alternative proposal, the Secretary General said that the alternative proposes that the government will present a full draft bill for referendum to implement the July Charter. The bill mentions that the referendum will be on 48 points (as proposed by the Consensus Commission) described in Schedule-1 related to the Constitution.

No mention has been made in the signed July Charter of the opinions, dissenting views, or notes of dissent of the political parties included. In other words, the Consensus Commission's proposals and recommendations are one-sided and an attempt to impose them forcefully on the nation. In a democracy, political parties will have differing opinions. That is natural. This is why dialogue was necessary. But the Consensus Commission did not consider the democratic right of political parties to hold dissenting views.

No Discussion on Forming Constitutional Reform Council
Mirza Fakhrul said that the recommendation states that alongside the formation of the National Parliament with elected representatives, a Constitutional Reform Council will be formed. They will take separate oaths as members of Parliament and as members of the Constitutional Reform Council. In other words, the elected National Parliament will simultaneously be designated as the "Constitutional Reform Council."

The question is— the Election Commission is constitutionally empowered to conduct elections for the National Parliament and the President. It is not tasked with holding elections to form a Constitutional Reform Council. The issue of forming a Constitutional Reform Council was not on the agenda in discussions with political parties by the Consensus Commission; it was not presented for discussion. There was no scope for consensus on forming a Constitutional Reform Council.

Who Proposed the Constitutional Reform Council?
Stating that there was no discussion in the Consensus Commission on the Constitutional Reform Council, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said at the press conference, "Suddenly, the proposal to form a Constitutional Reform Council was given. Who gave it? How did it come into the recommendations? Then, will parliamentary elections be held, or elections for the Constitutional Reform Council— the Election Commission has no authority for that. Such plans or proposals in the recommendations cannot be the work of the Consensus Commission to confuse the nation, create disunity, and divide it." He said, "After the parliamentary elections, it will take full legal shape and be included in the Constitution. To this end, we call on the government, the Consensus Commission, and all political parties to work together."

No Distrust Regarding Elections
Mirza Fakhrul said there is no reason for elections to be disrupted. We have no distrust toward anyone regarding the elections. We see no concerns about this. We want the elections to be held quickly. We hope the elections will take place. Our position on elections is clear. Elections in mid-February next year— we have faith in the promise made by the Chief Adviser to the nation. Accordingly, we are continuing election activities.

Demand Swift Trial for Massacres
In response to a question, Mirza Fakhrul said that those from the Awami League involved in massacres, and government officials with involvement, must face swift trials.

Will Approach Chief Adviser if Needed
In response to a question, Mirza Fakhrul said there is nothing to complain about. We have presented our opinions on the given recommendations to the nation. If necessary, we will go to the Chief Adviser again.

Present at the press conference were BNP Standing Committee members Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman, and Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.