BNP’s legitimacy at stake over July Charter implementation, speakers warn

Speakers at a seminar in Dhaka warned that the BNP government could face a major political legitimacy crisis if it fails to implement the July Charter and the referendum verdict.

The discussion, titled “Referendum and the Sovereign Power of the People,” was organized by the Citizens’ Forum for the Implementation of Referendum at the Jatiya Press Club. Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Shishir Monir said the people’s constituent power does not disappear once a constitution has been framed. In special circumstances, he said, that power can be used to change the constitutional structure.

Monir cited the caretaker government system introduced through the 13th Amendment as an example of an arrangement created by national necessity and political consensus. He also criticized the BNP for refusing to recognize the July uprising as a revolution and for not accepting the referendum.

Former ICT chief prosecutor Tajul Islam delivered a sharper criticism of the party. “Six months have passed, but they [BNP] have not implemented even a single point. They could have become heroes, but they have turned into villains,” he said. Alternatives organizer Tasnuva Jabin blamed what she called “the home minister’s ego” for the failure to implement the referendum, saying the charter and referendum belonged to the people rather than any political party.

Political scientist Professor Dilara Chowdhury, who chaired the seminar, called on political parties to act responsibly in carrying out the people’s mandate. She also said the country’s political foundation remained rooted in the elite class. Forum convener Fahim Mashrur conducted the discussion, which also included former diplomat Shakib Ali, The Daily Waddaa editor Shafiqul Alam, AB Party’s Asaduzzaman Fuad and Gonobiplobi Uddegh member Arif Sohel.

“

Six months have passed, but they [BNP] have not implemented even a single point. They could have become heroes, but they have turned into villains.