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The BNP party in Bangladesh has refuted allegations from a Jamaat-led 11-party alliance concerning a meeting held at the Secretariat. The alliance claimed the meeting was to finalize a presidential candidate, but BNP leaders clarified it was merely an "exchange of views" and not a formal party decision-making session. They emphasized that the decision regarding the presidential candidate had already been made and announced by the prime minister.

Speaking after submitting nomination papers at the Election Commission headquarters, BNP officials defended the presidential election process. Chief Whip and BNP Vice-Chairman Nurul Islam Moni stated that the election is being conducted in strict accordance with the Constitution and the Representation of the People Order (RPO). He highlighted that the opposition's participation, rather than a boycott, demonstrates the "beauty of democracy."

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This is not a ceremonial election. The opposition is participating in it, not boycotting. This is the beauty of democracy. It is being conducted exactly as the Constitution and RPO require.

BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy dismissed the opposition's demands for reforms through a referendum and amendments to Article 70 as irrelevant to the ongoing presidential race. He explained that while a referendum has no direct link to the current election, the party would consider implementing reforms gradually through parliamentary elections.

Regarding opposition claims that Article 70 hinders their candidate's chances, Moni reiterated the prime minister's commitment to implementing the July Charter. He added that the constitution remains unchanged and that the party is open to amending it and implementing the charter accordingly. Earlier, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad had questioned the propriety of holding a high-level political meeting at the Secretariat, calling it unprecedented.

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The referendum has no link with the presidential election. It can be implemented or not, but we will reflect it gradually through parliamentary elections.