Fakhrul Slams 'One-Sided' July Charter Referendum Plan as Impractical

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday criticized the recommendations made by the National Consensus Commission on the implementation of the July National Charter, calling them "one-sided" and "imposed on the nation."

Fakhrul strongly opposed the proposal to hold a referendum before the next national election (already announced for early February 2026), calling it "illogical, unwise, unnecessary, and impractical" given the limited time and cost.

The BNP is open to a referendum only to provide a legal basis for the Charter's implementation but suggests holding it concurrently with the national election to save time, cost, and manpower.

He stated that the party cannot agree with the Commission's recommendations because they ignored points of dissent and included matters that were never discussed.

Fakhrul argued that accepting such arbitrary and imposed proposals would ultimately divide the nation and cause "long-term harm to the national interest."

He also questioned the government's legal authority to give the July Charter constitutional status.

The BNP leader confirmed the party's goal is to establish a strong democratic state through a fair, neutral, and credible national election.

He highlighted the BNP's consistent history of engaging in reform processes and making compromises for national unity, but asserted that they must express their position as a responsible political party.