National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam has warned that the government will have to face consequences if it fails to form a reform council.
He made the remarks while presenting a keynote paper at a seminar organised by an 11-party alliance at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IEDB) auditorium in Kakrail on Monday afternoon.
The seminar, titled “Government against referendum verdict: Country facing crisis,” was attended as chief guest by Jamaat Ameer and opposition leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman and was chaired by Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mamunul Haque.
Nahid alleged that BNP is trying to create an “artificial crisis” by separating the July Charter and the July Order.
“BNP has turned the July Charter into its party manifesto. That is why the question of a referendum arises. However, it is not possible to change the basic structure of the constitution within its existing framework,” he said.
Referring to the political developments following the mass uprising, Nahid said two key demands had emerged at the time.
“The anti-discrimination student movement demanded the end of fascism, while BNP called for elections. We had demanded a Constituent Assembly for reforms. Later, BNP joined reform discussions, and we accepted the proposal for a reform council instead,” he added.
He further alleged that BNP had backtracked on its earlier position regarding the referendum.
“They agreed to the referendum in the consensus commission, but now they have gone back on their word,” he said.
Nahid also criticised the current political focus, saying urgent national issues are being sidelined.
“We should now be discussing the war situation, protecting national interests, tackling public health challenges like measles, and addressing the energy crisis. Instead, we are still debating reforms that have been discussed for the past 16 years,” he said.
Blaming BNP for the situation, he said the party would have to bear responsibility for the consequences.
“The consequences will not be easy,” he added.
Calling for immediate action, Nahid urged the government to quickly form a Constitution Reform Council to resolve the ongoing crisis and maintain national unity.
“Otherwise, the government will have to face the consequences,” he warned.