BNP to implement commitments of July Charter

The BNP will implement the commitments it made in the July National Charter on state reforms, while provisions on which the party expressed dissent will not be binding, Standing Committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan said on Saturday night.

The issue was discussed during the BNP’s first Standing Committee meeting since forming the government.

The meeting also reviewed the country’s ongoing crises, discussed the party’s national council, and examined several ordinances issued during the interim administration.

The meeting was held at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan at 8:40pm and was chaired by BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. It lasted for about two and a half hours.

Speaking to Dhaka Tribune after the meeting, Moyeen Khan said the Standing Committee reviewed the government’s activities over the past 47 days since assuming office.

“This was our first meeting after forming the government. We reviewed the government’s performance during this period, and members evaluated different areas of work. We also discussed possible solutions to overcome the ongoing crises,” he said.

Responding to a question, Moyeen Khan said the BNP would implement the commitments outlined in the July Charter.

“However, the provisions where BNP recorded a note of dissent will not be obligatory for the party to implement,” he added.

He also said the meeting discussed the ordinance related to the commission on enforced disappearances.

“There is speculation that the ordinance will be scrapped. That is not correct. After discussions and review, some amendments may be introduced,” he said.

According to him, the interim government had issued 133 ordinances, most of which will automatically remain in force, while several others will undergo further review and possible revisions.

Moyeen Khan said the issue of the BNP’s national council was raised toward the end of the meeting by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

“Any member can raise issues beyond the agenda. The secretary general explained the party’s position regarding the council. However, given the current circumstances, it does not seem possible to hold the council very soon,” he said.

He also clarified that no discussion took place regarding new leadership in Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, or Swechchhasebak Dal.

Sources at the meeting said the Standing Committee also discussed the finalisation of BNP candidates for reserved women’s seats in parliament, with members sharing theirs.

Later, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the meeting discussed ways to expand the party’s political and organisational activities and move toward holding the national council.

“We discussed how we can broaden our organisational work and move the party toward a council. We will try to move in that direction as quickly as possible,” he said.

Asked about a possible timeline, Fakhrul said it would take at least several months before the party could hold the council.

Fakhrul also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman sought the Standing Committee’s views on the government’s activities over the past 47 days, with members offering evaluations and suggestions.

The meeting was attended by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, and Prof AZM Zahid Hossain. Nazrul Islam Khan and Selima Rahman joined the meeting virtually.

The BNP’s previous Standing Committee meeting was held on January 9 at the chairperson’s office in Gulshan.