The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expressed its readiness to sign the much-discussed July Charter at any time, according to Salahuddin Ahmed, a standing committee member of the party.
Speaking at a press conference at his Gulshan residence on Monday (August 4), he said the BNP responded to the draft on July 30 with several amendments and has been fully cooperative in the process.
Highlighting the significance of the document, Salahuddin termed the July Charter a declaration of both historical and political importance.
He said the party had already responded to an earlier draft of the proposals in February this year. However, BNP expressed disagreement with the way March 26 (Bangladesh’s Independence Day) was addressed in the document.
Salahuddin also said the party is aware that the Charter is expected to receive state and constitutional recognition through the Fourth Schedule.
He clarified that if BNP’s proposed amendments are not accepted, the party will make its stance clear after the official reading of the document.
Addressing criticism that BNP is not cooperating with the implementation of the Charter, Salahuddin rejected such claims.
“BNP has extended its full cooperation. Claims that we are waiting for guarantees before signing are incorrect,” he said, urging all forces committed to resisting authoritarianism to remain united.
He further explained that the consensus commission had reviewed 19 core proposals suggested by various reform commissions. BNP agreed to 12 of them and registered a note of dissent on the remaining seven.
Despite the upcoming July Charter launch and reading event scheduled for Tuesday (August 5) on Manik Mia Avenue, Salahuddin noted that BNP had not yet received an official invitation to participate.
