Charter referendum stalls amid political standoff, economy suffers

An envisaged referendum on the July Charter meant for validating uprising-driven reforms stalls amid standoff over the scrapping of notes of dissent from the National Consensus Commission report, further fueling uncertainty in the economic sphere.

Meanwhile, as the seven-day ultimatum given to political parties by the interim government for a rethink ended Monday, the government appears in two minds about the next course of action.

Except for Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, most political parties have criticised the interim government's instructions to "go and discuss" among themselves, calling it an impractical and politically flawed approach.

Jamaat had initially tried to bring parties together for a dialogue, but major parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), declined, saying that the government should have invited them directly.

At a recent standing committee meeting, BNP leaders said they would only join talks if formally invited by the Chief Adviser, and stressed that any dialogue must ensure the next Jatiya Sangsad election is held on time.

An emergency advisory council meeting on November 2, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, had urged the parties to reach a consensus within a week on implementing the July Charter and the timing of the referendum.

The council also has warned that if no agreement was reached, the government would move forward on its own.

As the timeline expires, no breakthrough is in sight, underscoring deep divisions in the political camps.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan told reporters at the Secretariat Monday whether the constitutional order for implementing the July Charter and the referendum ordinance will be placed at the next Advisory Council meeting cannot be confirmed without receiving the agenda.

"The government has taken a clear position regarding the July Charter, but the political parties have not yet announced their stance," she said.

Contacted over the conundrum, Prof Dr Morshed Hasasn Khan, mass education secretary of BNP and a spokesperson for the former ruling party, told the FE that BNP had signed a July Charter with Note of Dissents. "We already have accepted the charter but the Consensus Commission, led by a US citizen, Prof Ali Reaz, has scrapped notes of dissent."

He adds: "We will implement what we have signed and what we didn't sign would also be placed in parliament for appropriating process."

He says they have even agreed to the referendum as per proposal by the Commission and other parties which should be done at the time of the National Parliament Election.

"But other two major parties are working to lengthen the national elections as they are already enjoying power," he says.

Intellectual and poet Farhad Mazhar Monday questioned the authority of the interim government-formed under the existing constitution-to hold referendum.

He had earlier said the constitution should be scrapped after the July uprising.

He raised the question on Monday at a discussion "Who will hold the referendum? Does this government have the authority to do so? The Chief Adviser says he will uphold the current constitution. Then what referendum are we talking about?"

He said: "You can't say you'll keep the constitution and at the same time act against it. Both cannot happen."

National Citizens Party convener Nahid Islam at a programme Friday said there was no scope for keeping the 'notes of dissent' in the July National Charter 2025.

The order on the July Charter must be issued by chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, he also argues.

"There will be no notes of dissent in the July Charter. Whatever has been reached through consensus will stay, and the rest of the issues will be decided by the people. If the people want, those decisions will be implemented," he said.

Hoping that the country will soon move towards Jatiya Sangsad elections under the legal framework of the July Charter, Nahid said, "We will carry forward Bangladesh by upholding the aspirations of the mass uprising."

Zonayed Saqui, convener of Gannasanhati Andolon, says after the mass uprising, the Consensus Commission was formed to carry forward the nation's aspiration for rebuilding the state and society.

The July Charter was drafted based on the consensus of political parties to outline the framework for a future Bangladesh.

However, the notes of dissent submitted by several political parties were omitted from the draft implementation plan of the Charter, which has led to fresh political complications and tensions.

"Now, questions have arisen about the position of the parties that had earlier submitted notes of dissent on various reform proposals. Many observers believe removing those dissenting notes was a mistake," he notes.

Although the government later urged political parties to hold discussions among themselves and reach a unified decision, the Consensus Commission is currently inactive, and no new government initiative has been taken.

"This raises the key question - who will act as the facilitator now?"

Despite attempts by nine political parties, including the Ganatantra Mancha (Democracy Platform), to initiate dialogue, the absence of a facilitator has prevented any progress.

Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary-General Hamidur Rahman Azad says his party had taken an initiative for dialogue, but to no avail.

"Those unwilling to participate cannot be forced. Dialogue is only possible when all parties come forward. It is now the government's responsibility to decide how to implement the reforms."

Meanwhile, the business community at a programme last week said fast transition to elected government would restore investors' trust.

Business leaders were speaking at a roundtable titled 'Business Climate: Reforms, Opportunities, and Challenges Ahead', organised by The Financial Express at a city hotel.

They have underscored more major reforms to remove the existing hurdles and enable Bangladesh to tap the emerging business opportunities, calling for faster democratic transition to accelerate the system-recast process.

Shams Mahmud, president of the Bangladesh-Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTCCI), said, "The interim government has introduced several reforms, but none is yet visible. It's time to pause further policy changes and focus on holding the election so an elected government can take up reforms with legitimacy."

He thinks foreign investment will be eluding the country until an elected government is in office.

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