Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on Thursday accused the BNP of eliciting a political crisis in the country, by what he described as "refusing to accept the verdict of 70 percent of the people" in the referendum.
Speaking at the inauguration of a nationwide mass communication programme in the capital’s Shahbagh, Parwar said BNP is breaking its promise to the people and deceiving them.
He questioned why BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, who supported a “yes” vote in the referendum, is now ignoring the verdict.
“Out of the 84 reform proposals, the notes of dissent given by BNP were cancelled as soon as the referendum was won. That is why BNP is in a state of confusion. They want to return to fascism through deceit,” he alleged.
Parwar urged the Prime Minister to publicly confirm his vote in the referendum, saying that canceling it would amount to denying his own vote.
He warned that if the government does not implement the July Charter in parliament, the issue could be taken to the streets.
The BNP has insisted they are not against the July Charter, but rather the July Charter Implementation Order, which they say the president had no authority to issue.
Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Maulana Jalal Uddin said BNP is showing double standards by calling one election legitimate and another illegal.
NCP Joint Member Secretary Joynal Abedin Shishir added that BNP, elected with 51 percent of votes, is not accepting the referendum verdict supported by 70 percent of the people.
AB Party Joint Secretary General Advocate Abdullah Al Mamun Rana warned that those attempting to impose fascism by ignoring the referendum could face a worse fate than the Awami League.
National Democratic Party (JAGPA) vice-president Engineer Rashed Prodhan said ignoring the 70 percent referendum verdict may force the public to prepare for another August 5-style movement.
A mass mobilisation campaign will run nationwide from April 9 to 15 under the 11-party alliance, demanding implementation of the referendum verdict and convening of the Constitutional Reform Council to address the energy crisis.