Taher says Jamaat made ‘sacrifices’ to accommodate BNP, now seeks referendum before polls

Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, deputy chief of the Jamaat-e-Islami, has said his party made multiple “sacrifices” to accommodate the BNP’s opposition during the National Consensus Commission meetings, and now the BNP is demanding a referendum before national elections.

Speaking at an urgent media briefing on Thursday, Taher said the BNP initially did not want any reforms. Later, conceding to public pressure, it participated in the reform commission.”

He added that Jamaat had repeatedly thanked the BNP, saying: “We have made many sacrifices to accommodate the BNP. We have conceded on many points.

“For example, the Consensus Commission proposed forming a national constitutional council, opening constitutional bodies for institutions including PSCs, and ensuring that the prime minister or president cannot influence appointments or the Election Commission.

“The BNP opposed this strongly. Why they did so—only Allah knows.”

The political document outlining the initiative for state reform, signed on Oct 17, reflects differences among parties regarding the referendum and implementation of the July National Charter.

On Tuesday, the Consensus Commission submitted its recommendations to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, suggesting that a referendum could be held on the day of the national election or any time prior.

While the BNP wants a referendum on the same day as the national election, Jamaat insists it should be held earlier, in November.