NCP Demands Clarity on Charter Implementation Before Signing

The National Citizen Party (NCP), through its Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, announced today (November 14) that it will only sign the July National Charter after the interim government provides crucial clarity on the implementation mechanisms for the proposed constitutional reforms.

Speaking at the party's temporary office in Banglamotor, Patwary highlighted that the four constitutional reform proposals, which are set to be presented in a concurrent referendum and national election in February, remain "procedurally unclear."

Patwary’s remarks followed Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s announcement that the national election and the referendum—featuring a single "Yes/No" question on the four collective reforms—will be held on the same day. Patwary expressed concern over this decision, stating, "Holding both the national election and the referendum on the same day creates procedural confusion, further undermining clarity around the process."

The NCP leader specifically pointed out ambiguity in the first reform proposal regarding the formation of a caretaker government under the July Charter, noting that "notes of dissent" are causing hesitation about the implementation process. He further alleged that the reform process provided specific benefits to the BNP and Jamaat, leaving the general public excluded.

Patwary strongly criticized the BNP's conduct within the National Consensus Commission, accusing them of "thuggery" and using their position to veto agreed-upon points. He alleged that the BNP later supported the signing of the Charter but kept the implementation mechanism deliberately vague. He concluded that two parties (implicitly BNP and Jamaat) used the entire reform process to expand their vote bank.

Patwary confirmed that the NCP supports the spirit of the July Declaration but reiterated their commitment to fundamental reforms, justifying their choice to withhold signing until the ambiguities around implementation are resolved.