Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday accused the opposition of misleading the public over the implementation of the July Charter, reaffirming that all signatory parties remain committed to carrying out every provision of the agreement.
Speaking at a discussion at the National Press Club, Mirza Fakhrul dismissed the opposition's claim that the July Charter would have to be enforced through street protests if its provisions were not implemented by parliament.
"We are facing questions on many issues. The opposition claims that if the July Charter is not implemented through parliament, the issue will be settled on the streets. I believe such remarks are intended to mislead the public," he said.
"The July Charter was signed by all the political parties that took part in the movement. We have repeatedly stated that every provision of the charter will be implemented. We remain fully committed to that pledge," he added.
Referring to the proposed referendum, Fakhrul said the BNP had not been consulted on certain issues, particularly the proposal to introduce proportional representation in the upper house of parliament.
"We never agreed to proportional representation in the upper house. At the time, I publicly said the nation had been deceived. The Reform Commission included those proposals without our consent," he said.
Fakhrul said the July Charter clearly states that the party elected to govern will implement its commitments in line with its election manifesto.
"We have consistently said we are committed to implementing the July Charter, just as we are committed to our 31-point reform agenda. The opposition is completely misinterpreting the issue," he said.
Fakhrul said the current debate centers on constitutional reform versus constitutional amendment. "We have always said that we want to amend the Constitution. We have never said that we want to rewrite or fundamentally reform it," he said.
He added that a party elected with a two-thirds parliamentary majority has the democratic mandate to implement the commitments outlined in its manifesto.
"There is no room for confusion on this issue," he said.
Highlighting the BNP's political struggle, Fakhrul said the party had endured years of repression under what he described as a fascist regime.
"Many allegations are made against the BNP. Around six million false cases have been filed against our supporters, nearly 1,700 leaders and activists have been subjected to enforced disappearance, and thousands have been killed while resisting fascism. We have to reiterate these facts because some people are trying to create confusion," he said.
The discussion was jointly organised by the Professor Emajuddin Ahmed Research Centre and the National Journalists Association to mark the sixth death anniversary of late Professor Emajuddin Ahmed. The programme concluded with a special prayer seeking eternal peace for his soul.
