The National Conference Party (NCP) will sign the July National Charter if its implementation is guaranteed, according to NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain.
He stated that withdrawing the revised Representation of the People Order (RPO) proposal and ensuring the Charter’s implementation would signal the government’s intent to transfer power to the BNP, continuing discussions from the London meeting.
Speaking to reporters after a three-hour meeting with the Consensus Commission on Saturday at the National Assembly’s LD Hall, Akhtar said the NCP sought clarity on the Charter’s implementation process.
The Commission revealed it is drafting a constitutional order for this purpose but did not share the draft with NCP leaders.
Akhtar emphasised that signing the Charter without a clear implementation plan is insufficient. While the draft order indicates progress, the Commission’s inability to disclose its contents left the NCP cautious.
The interim RPO amendment, approved last Thursday, bars fugitive convicts from elections and mandates alliance candidates to use party symbols.
The BNP and allied parties, advocating for the paddy sheaf symbol, have opposed this rule and demanded its revision.
Akhtar supported the amendment, noting BNP’s shift in stance and its appeal to the Law Ministry to cancel it.
He criticised this move, suggesting it stems from personal ties between a government adviser and certain parties, warning that withdrawing the amendment could indicate a power transfer agenda tied to the London meeting.
Akhtar urged the Consensus Commission to ensure the July Charter is not reduced to a symbolic document, stressing careful implementation.
He noted that after finalising reforms and publishing a trial roadmap, the government could prepare for elections.
The NCP opposes a constitutional order for the Charter, favouring a referendum via notification on election day.
However, Akhtar argued that without clarity on the order’s contents, a referendum alone cannot secure the reforms’ implementation.
The meeting included National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Ali Riaz, members Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder, Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Ayub Mia, and Special Assistant Monir Haider.
The NCP was represented by joint convener Sarwar Tushar, Javed Rasin, Khaled Saifullah, and Joint Member Secretary Zahirul Islam Musa.
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